Madonna and Child with Saints Francis and Dominic and Angels

Giulio Cesare Procaccini

Date unknown · Oil on canvas · European Paintings

Ten figures are tightly woven together, compressed against the picture plane in an idiosyncratic combination of flickering paint surfaces taken from Parmigianino and the unexpected, angular bodily contortions of Ludovico Carracci. The result is otherworldly and unbelievable, but highly stimulating visually. Procaccini began as a sculptor, but by 1610 had established himself as a painter in Milan. This altarpiece, likely commissioned by the Spanzotta family around 1612, represents the Institution of the Rosary, established by Saint Dominic, clothed in black and white, whose body is mirrored by Saint Francis, dressed in his humble brown habit.

Artist

Giulio Cesare Procaccini

Date

Date unknown

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Purchase, Enid A. Haupt Gift, 1979