Various Studies

Benozzo Gozzoli

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Benozzo Gozzali. The drawing shows four figures, two are kneeling in the lower right of the composition, while a third stands against the left edge and the fourth is positioned left of centre and slightly above the others. The two kneeling face forwards and slightly to the right with their hands raised in prayer. The head of the figure positioned slightly higher than the others is only vaguely drawn in, though it is clear she is a woman and she has her hands on her hips. The figure against the left edge is facing towards the right and has his right leg lifted as if walking forwards. All of the figures are wearing long drapery as clothing. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 1 BENOZZO GOZZOLI (b. 1420; d. after 1497) (A) VIRGIN AND CHILD WITH ANGELS (B) VARIOUS STUDIES Collection of Captain E. G. Spencer Churchill, Northwick Park. From the Richardson Collection. (A), Black chalk and pen and bistre on pink prepared ground: (B), pen heighlighted with white on pink prepared ground. 16.9 x 17.9 cm. (6 5/8 x 7 in.). These two drawings are on opposite sides of the same sheet and bear an old but quite groundless attribution to to Giovanni Francesco Rustici. Both are unmistakably the work of Benozzo Gozzoli, though possibly of different periods. The design of (A) is singular, showing the Virgin erect on a pedestal holding the Child in her arms under a cusped Gothic canopy, with angels standing on the floor in front, one of them grasping one of the columns of the canopy. The studies on (B) are of a different technique and partly of a finer quality, especially in the figure standing in profile to the left and in those of the two exquisite kneeling angels (as yet without indication of the wings towards the right. The four figures are evidently first studies from the life for two of the standing and two of the kneeling angels in the famous Adoration fresco in the RIccardi Chapel at Florence. S. C."