Madonna and Child in Glory Adored by Angels

Art Historical Context

Behold the ethereal *Madonna and Child in Gloryored by Angels*, a drawing by Bernardino Rodriguez, known as "Bernardino Siciliano," dating to around 1600–1650. This Sicilian artist captures a quintessential Baroque vision of divine splendor, with the Virgin Mary and Christ Child enthroned amid adoring angels, evoking rapture and Counter-Reformation piety. Such devotional themes were central to 17th-century Italian art inspiring awe and faith in viewers. Crafted in pen and brown ink with brush and blue wash, the sheet measures 12-3/16 x 8-7/16 inches and bears subtle black chalk squaring—a practical technique for transferring the design to a larger canvas or fresco. The blue wash adds luminous depth, modeling forms with soft shadows that hint at the dramatic chiaroscuro of the final work, showcasing Rodriguez's skill in blending precision with emotional intensity. A gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Henry Walters in 1917, this drawing from the Drawings and Prints department offers a rare glimpse into an artist's workshop process. It reminds us how humble sketches birthed grand altarpieces, bridging the spiritual and the tangible in Sicily's vibrant artistic tradition.