Saints Presenting a Devout Woman to the Virgin and Child

Description

A devout woman, shown at lower right, is presented by saints and an angel to the central Virgin and Child. In clockwise order from her is Saint Lucy, identified by the cauldron and sword at her feet; Saint Agnes, by the lamb; Saint Scholastica, by the dove she holds; and Saint Benedict, characterized by his crozier and Benedictine habit. Slightly below the central Madonna is Saint Veronica, whose head is covered. Behind Saint Veronica, Saint Anthony of Padua, wearing a Franciscan habit and holding a lily stalk, stands in a pose of adoration. Below Saint Anthony and next to the woman is an angel. The identity of the woman is uncertain, but she may be the painting's patron. Pittoni uses dramatic gestures and elegant drapery, while the soft treatment of light and rich colors reflect Pittoni's study of French Rococo art during his stay in France in 1720. In the crowded composition, Pittoni has emphasized the importance of the religious event. His experimentation with composition is evident in the legs of Saint Agnes's lamb; as the painting has aged, a third front leg that Pittoni had painted over has become visible.

Provenance

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio (1982-); (Newhouse Galleries, New York, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (Until 1982); Baron André Descamps, Brussels, possibly consigned to Newhouse Galleries (Possibly 1941-1982); (Galerie Fievez, Brussels, sale, June 23-24, 1941, no. 232 (1941); (Galerie Georges Giroux, Brussels, Broerman sale, March 21, 1927, lot 24, as Giambattista Tiepolo) (1927); Eugene Broerman [1860-1930], Brussels, consigned to Galerie Georges Giroux (Possibly 1924-1927); Piccoli collection, Venice; Possibly a palace chapel, Belluno, Italy (1720s)

Saints Presenting a Devout Woman to the Virgin and Child

Giovanni Battista Pittoni

1720s

Accession Number

1982.36

Medium

oil on canvas

Dimensions

Framed: 185 x 149 x 6.5 cm (72 13/16 x 58 11/16 x 2 9/16 in.); Unframed: 172 x 135.5 cm (67 11/16 x 53 3/8 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund