The Visitation
About this artwork
Pompeo Batoni drew this magnificent study in preparation for a painting of the Visitation, the Virgin Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. It is a superb example of his fluent and economical drawing style, and his skill at creating dynamic but unified compositions. Batoni’s extraordinary skill led artists to study his works with care. Allan Ramsay, in particular, copied his paintings and collected a number of his drawings, including this example. He later sent his own son, John, for lessons with Batoni when they were in Rome in the 1780s.
Updated before 2020
-
artist:Pompeo Batoni (1708 - 1787) Italian
-
title:The Visitation
-
date created:Unknown
-
materials:Red chalk on paper (squared)
-
measurements:Sheet: 25.90 x 34.80 cm; Composition: 18.30 x 26.20 cm
-
object type:
-
credit line:Lady Murray of Henderland Gift 1860 as a memorial of her husband, Lord Murray of Henderland
-
accession number:D 1940
-
gallery:
Pompeo Batoni
Pompeo Batoni
Batoni, a native of Lucca, was the son of a goldsmith. He began in his father's workshop but left for Rome in 1727 where he soon acquired a reputation for making fine drawings after the antique, which were often bought by British visitors. During his long career, Batoni executed altarpieces for...