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Charity

Guido Reni Italian
ca. 1630
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 620
This allegorical figure of Charity follows a well-established iconographic model of a woman breastfeeding a group of children, here gracefully deployed through the rhythm of limbs and docile gazes. The sleeping figure, identical to one used in a fresco by Reni for the Barberini family in 1629, asserts an atmosphere of trust and innocence. Reni commanded the highest prices and greatest admiration among his contemporaries for such idealized faces, placid compositions, and jewellike tones. Evidence of Reni’s international celebrity, this painting was likely commissioned or bought by Prince Karl Eusebius of Liechtenstein on his trip to Italy in 1629–30.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Charity
  • Artist: Guido Reni (Italian, Bologna 1575–1642 Bologna)
  • Date: ca. 1630
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 54 x 41 3/4 in. (137.2 x 106 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1974
  • Object Number: 1974.348
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Pictorial print, Guido Reni in Rospiglioso Palace, Rome Italian, Cotton, French
Pictorial print
Guido Reni
mid-19th century
Angoli dipinti a fresco da Guido Reni nella Loggia contigua al Giardino del Palazzo dell'Eccmo. SigR. Duca Mazarino nel Monte Quirinale intagliati da Carlo Cesio dati in Luce da Domenico de Rossi. . .in Roma alla Pace. . .
Guido Reni
n.d.
The Virgin holding the infant Christ on her lap, an oval composition, after Reni, Guido Reni Italian, Etching
The Virgin holding the infant Christ on her lap, an oval composition, after Reni
Guido Reni
1620–50
A group of angels embracing in flight, framed by clouds, Guido Reni Italian, Etching
A group of angels embracing in flight, framed by clouds
Guido Reni
Luca Cambiaso
ca. 1607
The Holy Family with young John the Baptist and Saint Elizabeth, two angels above, Guido Reni Italian, Etching
The Holy Family with young John the Baptist and Saint Elizabeth, two angels above
Guido Reni
ca. 1590–1610

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