Image scanned and color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Visitation

Artist Carlo Tagliapietra (Italian, active mid-1700s)

CultureItalian

Dateca. 1730

MediumTerracotta

DimensionsOverall: 21 3/4 x 18 13/16 in. (55.2 x 47.8 cm)
Overall, Frame: 27 1/4 x 24 1/4 x 6 in. (69.2 x 61.6 x 15.2 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number78.634B

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 207

DescriptionThis terracotta bozzetto depicts the Visitation of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth's home. In the bozzetto, angels hover above while Mary and Elizabeth shake hands in the doorway. The two women stand in the center, their husbands behind them (Joseph on the left, Zacharias looking on from inside), on the street corner in front of Elizabeth's house. As a sketch, it is able to evoke the emotion and feeling of the moment when Elizabeth's baby leaped within her at the presence of Mary's baby. Even the small dog at Elizabeth's feet appears to energetically wag its' tail. The sky is filled with frolicking angels.

Label TextCarlo Tagliapietra Italian, active mid 1700s Visitation, ca. 1730 Terracotta Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 78.634b