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Girolamo del Pacchia; follower of
Overview
The artist of this pen drawing was identified by Peter Tomory as a contemporary imitator of the Siense artist Girolamo del Pacchia (1477 - c.1535). It is one of a group of sixteen drawings which were sheets from a sketchbook representing a variety of subjects including some from the antique.
Pacchia was the son of a metalsmith who specialised in weapons. By 1502 he and Pacchiarotti were Pinturicchio's assistants, decorating the ceiling of a library in Siena C
Our drawing depicts the kneeling figure of the Virgin Mary dressed in long flowing robes, being crowned. To her left is a similarly robed male figure with a long beard standing on cloud like forms, reaching over and placing the crown on her head. Below the two figures and taking up the lower section of the composition are two putti enveloped in a scroll leaf type design with ribbons.
See:
Peter Tomory, Old Master Drawings in the National Collection (Wellington, 1983).
Dr Mark Stocker Curator, Historical International Art February 2017