(below, highlighted detail of image of Mary's face)
Drawing
Female clothed figure
2H, HB, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B graphite pencils on white Canson 50-pound (74-gsm) acid-free paper
November 2007
Dimensions, paper and image: 11 inches (27.9 cm) high by 8-3/8 inches (21.2 cm) wide
A radiant Mary beams with motherly tenderness and kindness as she looks lovingly upon her child, Jesus, who gazes up at her with joy while reaching to touch her face. Her hooded, flowing robes form a shimmering set of magnificent drapery as they draw the viewer's eye up to the laughing child and then Mary's own luminous face. The figure of the Virgin is strong and dynamic, her robes swept up in the same firm, energetic hand that supports the Christ Child at nearly her own eye-level.
This drawing is a traditional Madonna and Christ Child that I developed from the Virgin and Child statue at the entrance doorway of the Chartreuse de Champmol (Charterhouse of Champmol) in France, sculpted around 1400 by the school of Claus Sluter, who was active 1385-1406. (The charterhouse was founded in 1383, to be the family mausoleum of Philip the Bold.)
Madonna with Child
Drawing
Female clothed figure
2B graphite pencil on white Canson 50-pound (74-gsm) acid-free paper
June 2006
Dimensions: paper 11 inches (28 cm) high by 8-1/2 inches (21.6 cm) wide; image about 9-1/8 inches (23 cm) high by about 6-1/2 inches (about 16.5 cm) wide
Mary, in her poor robes, lovingly holds the peacefully sleeping infant Jesus.
A traditional Madonna and Christ Child that I developed from the classic La Madonnina (c. 1896-97) by Roberto Ferruzzi.
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