Madonna and Child

Giovanni Battista Salvi, called Sassoferrato, Italian, 1609 - 1685

Share

mid-17th century

Oil on canvas

Overall: 29 1/8 × 24 7/16 in. (74 × 62 cm)

Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth: Purchased through the Mrs. Harvey P. Hood W'18 Fund

2010.60

Geography

Place Made: Italy, Europe

Period

1600-1800

Object Name

Painting

Research Area

Painting

Nazi-Era Provenance Research

Not on view

Label

Sassoferrato’s paintings recall the earlier traditions in the style of Perugino and Raphael. This work depicts a serene moment of the Virgin Mary tenderly clasping the baby Jesus. Images of Mary with baby Jesus readily transmitted Catholic ideals, easily understood by newly converted Christians. Paintings like this one connect to both universal themes of motherhood and generational continuity while presenting a Eurocentric and strident Catholic view.

Written by Adje Accoh, ’22

From the 2023 exhibition Faith and Empire: The Legacy of Conversion and Commerce in the Early Modern World, curated by students of ARTH 20.04, "Faith and Empire: Art in the Early Modern World" taught by Elizabeth Rice Mattison, Andrew W. Mellon Associate Curator of Academic Programming

Course History

Art History 20.04, Faith and Empire, Beth Mattison, Spring 2023

Exhibition History

Faith and Empire: The Legacy of Conversion and Commerce in the Early Modern World, Class of 1967 Gallery, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, August 12-December 23, 2023.

Ivan Albright Gallery, Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, January 3, 2011-August 30, 2013.

Provenance

Robert Simon Fine Art, Tuxedo Park, New York; sold to present collection, 2010.

This record is part of an active database that includes information from historic documentation that may not have been recently reviewed. Information may be inaccurate or incomplete. We also acknowledge some language and imagery may be offensive, violent, or discriminatory. These records reflect the institution’s history or the views of artists or scholars, past and present. Our collections research is ongoing.

We welcome questions, feedback, and suggestions for improvement. Please contact us at: Hood.Collections@dartmouth.edu