The artwork, titled “Jesus To A Child to whom the Virgin kisses the hand” by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, belongs to the Neoclassicism art movement and falls under the genre of sketch and study. It is part of the series “Collection of drawings engraved after Guercino.”
In this delicate and intricately detailed sketch, the viewer witnesses a tender moment between a young child, presumably Jesus, and the Virgin Mary. The child, rendered with soft yet precise lines, stands with a gentle, contemplative expression while the Virgin, depicted with a serene countenance, tenderly kisses the child’s hand. The composition exudes a warm intimacy and portrays deep reverence, characteristic of the devotional themes common in neoclassical art. The attention to detail in the folds of the Virgin’s garment, as well as the anatomical accuracy of the child, reflect the meticulous skill and classicist dedication of Piranesi, capturing the essence of Guercino’s original vision.
