(Cremona 1671-1749 Bologna) Mary with the Child, study for the painting „Saint Francis Xaver Entrusting the Sailors to the Protection of the Madonna“ 1705-1708, pen and brown ink, on paper, 26.5 x 19.2 cm, laid down on support, browned, stained, with a horizontal central crease, mounted, framed. (Sch)

The present sheet is a preliminary drawing for the painting „Saint Francis Xaver Entrusting the Sailors to the Protection of the Madonna“, which was executed between 1705 and 1708 and was assigned by the Jesuit order for the Capella dell'Accademia degli Argonauti del Collegio dei nobile della bolognese compagnia di Gesù". The painting is preserved in the municipal collection of Bologna (Collezioni Comunali d'Arte de Bologna; Inv. Nr.1279) today. The Virgin enthroned, the Child and surrounding putti are in the clouds; the Child is blessing the sailors on the recommendation of Saint Francis Xaver. In the drawing as well as in the painting the Madonna is laying her right arm around the shoulder of Jesus; with her left arm she is pointing to the sailors, who are indicated by a ship at the lower right margin of the painting. Contrary to the painting Mary’s palm of the hand is turned upwards and the gaze of Jesus is directed more forward. Even the head of one of the putti, on which the Madonna is resting her right foot, is indicated in the drawing; however the putto at the upper right margin was not transferred onto the painting. The style of the drawing with its broad areas of hatches and the angular outlines is characteristic of Creti’s working procedure as a draughtsman. Literature: For an illustration of the painting see: G. Zucchini, Catalogo delle Collezioni Comunali d'Arte di Bologna, Bologna 1938, p. 72, n.24; C. Bernardini, Collezioni Comunali d'arte. L'appartamento del Legato in Palazo d'Accursio, Bologna 1989, p. 23, n.9. For the drawings by Creti see Renato Roli, "I disegni di Donato Creti agli Uffizi", in: Bolletino d'arte, 47, 1962, pp. 241-250; Ugo Ruggeri,"Nuovi disegni di Donato Creti, in: Musei ferraresi, 4.1974, pp.19-34. Provenance: Conte di Bentivoglio, Bologna; a handwritten remark "G(iovanna) Bentivoglio“ on the reverse; four seals of Conte di Bentivoglio. Exhibtion: An old label "Comune di Bologna, Mostra del 700 Bolognese Organizzata in Occasione Del Centenario Carducciano nel Palazzo d'Accursio" with a handwritten inscription "Bentivoglio C. Giov..." and Nummer "659 E5" on the reverse.