Nicolo Dell'Abate Saint Anthony Abbot with the Young Saint John the Baptist Red chalk PROVENANCE This drawing shows two hermit saints, one biblical and one historical. The incongruous conjunction of these two suggests the design was intended for a banner, perhaps commissioned by an order such as the Benedictines whose founder, St. Benedict, was also a hermit. Nicolo studied in early life with his father who was a painter and sculptor of some note. After a brief sojourn in the army, he returned to painting and achieved great success, working in conjunction with his friend Fontana, decorating the palaces and churches of his native Modena. Around 1550 he was commissioned to come to Bologna to paint the friezes of the Palazzo Poggi. We can date our drawing with some certainty to the period before this move, as it is so clearly influenced by the work of Coreggio, whose favourite drawing medium was red chalk. Following Henri II's summons to Fontainebleau in 1552, Abate came under the direct influence of Primaticcio whose elegant, Mannerist style he adopted. We are grateful to Sylvie Beguin for confirming the attribution. |
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