Woman seated on the ground, known as Saint Thaïs
Maker
(artist)
1503-1540
(etcher)
1503-1540
1503-1540
(etcher)
1503-1540
Title
Woman seated on the ground, known as Saint Thaïs
Date of Production
(circa) 1527 - 1530
Medium
Etching on laid paper
Dimensions
Height: 12.9 cm
Width: 11.3 cm
Width: 11.3 cm
Accession Number
G.1978.PG.40
Mode of Acquisition
Count Antoine Seilern, bequest, 1978
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Copyright
Work in the public domain
Location
Not currently on display
Keywords
Label Text
The print has been described as representing Saint Thaïs. However, it does not follow the iconography of the fourth-century penitent courtesan saint, traditionally shown burning her wealth or praying in a convent cell.
The artist’s decision to develop the drawing (D.1978.PG.96) into this etching (second state) shows him responding to demand for his work, which through prints could be disseminated more easily. The small dimensions of the print, possibly resulting from it being an early venture in etching, create an intimate tone.
The artist’s decision to develop the drawing (D.1978.PG.96) into this etching (second state) shows him responding to demand for his work, which through prints could be disseminated more easily. The small dimensions of the print, possibly resulting from it being an early venture in etching, create an intimate tone.
Provenance
probably a French collection [as indicated by French inscription on verso]; Prince Franz Joseph II of Liechtenstein (1906-1989) [according to a former mount, now removed and in the curatorial file]; Colnaghi, London; purchased there by Count Antoine Seilern, London (1901-1978), c. 1950; Princes Gate Bequest 1978
Exhibition History
Drawings Gallery Display - The Art of Experiment: Parmigianino at The Courtauld, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 03/05/2022-06/05/2022
Parmigianino - Paintings, Drawings, Prints, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 14/05/1987-12/07/1987
Parmigianino - Paintings, Drawings, Prints, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 14/05/1987-12/07/1987
Literature
The Art of Experiment: Parmigianino at The Courtauld, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2022
cat. no. 26b
and on p. 150
ill. on p. 137
Jenkins, Catherine, Nadine M. Orenstein and Freyda Spira (eds.), The Renaissance of etching, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2019
no. 59
Gnann, Achim, Parmigianino: Die Zeichnungen, Petersberg 2007
p. 167 ...More
Landau, David and Peter Parshall, The Renaissance print 1470-1550, New Haven and London 1994
pp. 266-67
Parmigianino - Paintings, Drawings, Prints, Courtauld, London, 1987
cat. no. 38
Bartsch, Adam, Le peintre graveur, Vienna 1803-21
XVI.10.II ...Less
cat. no. 26b
and on p. 150
ill. on p. 137
Jenkins, Catherine, Nadine M. Orenstein and Freyda Spira (eds.), The Renaissance of etching, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2019
no. 59
Gnann, Achim, Parmigianino: Die Zeichnungen, Petersberg 2007
p. 167 ...More
Landau, David and Peter Parshall, The Renaissance print 1470-1550, New Haven and London 1994
pp. 266-67
Parmigianino - Paintings, Drawings, Prints, Courtauld, London, 1987
cat. no. 38
Bartsch, Adam, Le peintre graveur, Vienna 1803-21
XVI.10.II ...Less
Inscriptions
Inscription: recto, lower right, grey ink : No. 63
Inscription: verso, lower centre, graphite : par Parmesan [illegible] / une des plus belles //
Inscription: verso, lower centre, graphite : par Parmesan [illegible] / une des plus belles //
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