Charity

ca. 1680

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 640

A student of Francesco Albani, Cignani retained the Bolognese classicist’s line and bright palette, and inflected them with the delicate, human aspect readily apparent in this depiction of Charity. Perhaps because the subject was so well suited to Cignani, this composition is known in multiple versions, of which this example, the only known on copper, is among his most accomplished.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Catalogue Entry

Provenance

References

Title: Charity
Artist: Carlo Cignani (Italian, Bologna 1628–1719 Forlì)
Date: ca. 1680
Medium: Oil on copper
Dimensions: 20 × 27 in. (50.8 × 68.6 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Bequest of Errol M. Rudman, 2020
Object Number: 2020.263.6
Curatorial Department: European Paintings

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Manufacturer Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co.
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Joseph Interpreting the Dreams of Pharaoh, Jörg Breu the Younger German, Distemper on linen — Joseph Interpreting the Dreams of Pharaoh
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Head of a Young Woman in Three-Quarter View Facing Left, Carlo Cignani Italian, Brush and brown wash, highlighted with white and cream gouache (partly oxidized), over a preliminary freehand and ruled underdrawing in charcoal, outlines stylus-incised for transfer, on four glued sheets of light tan paper with deckled borders. Traces of framing outlines stylus-ruled along upper, right, and bottom borders — Head of a Young Woman in Three-Quarter View Facing Left
Carlo Cignani
or possibly by Marcantonio Franceschini
1670–1700

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