Saint Christopher Carrying the Christ Child
artist
Unknown
Date16th century
Place MadeFlanders, Belgium, Europe
MediumBrown ink and wash on paper
Dimensions14.6 x 20.3 cm (5 3/4 x 8 in.)
ClassificationsDrawings
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession number1.2.o.18
eMuseum ID722684
EmbARK ObjectID12346
Original Number1.4.o.61
TMS Source ID1478
Last Updated10/3/24
Status
Not on viewWeb Commentary
In Christian religions, Saint Christopher—the patron saint and protector of travelers—carried the Christ Child across a treacherous river. In this drawing, Christopher is straining against the wind and water as he approaches the safety of the river bank.
Isabella Stewart Gardner purchased this drawing at auction in 1902, when it was believed to be the work of Leonardo da Vinci. Although this attribution has been disproven and the true artist is currently unidentified, it is still an excellent example of early sixteenth-century pen-and-ink drawing.
BibliographyNotesChristie, Manson and Woods. Catalogue of a Valuable Collection of Drawings by Old Masters Formed by a Well-Known Amateur during the Last Forty Years (London, 12-14 May 1902), p. 21, lot 183. (as Leondardo da Vinci)
Rollin van N. Hadley (ed.). Drawings: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, 1968), pp. 11-12, no. 6. (as Flemish (?), 16th century)
Nathaniel Silver and Diana Seave Greenwald. Isabella Stewart Gardner: A Life (Boston, 2022), p.101-103, fig. 52.
Kathleen King, "Saint Christopher: World's Best Travel Companion," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 21 February 2023, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/saint-christopher-worlds-best-travel-companion
Rollin van N. Hadley (ed.). Drawings: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, 1968), pp. 11-12, no. 6. (as Flemish (?), 16th century)
Nathaniel Silver and Diana Seave Greenwald. Isabella Stewart Gardner: A Life (Boston, 2022), p.101-103, fig. 52.
Kathleen King, "Saint Christopher: World's Best Travel Companion," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 21 February 2023, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/saint-christopher-worlds-best-travel-companion
MarksNotesInscribed in brown ink (recto, upper left corner) J. C. R. (collector's mark of Sir John Charles Robinson, Lugt no. 1433)
Inscribed in graphite (verso, upper left corner): 12
Inscribed in graphite (verso, center): NO 1220
Stamped in blue ink (verso): ISG
Stamped (verso, in monogram): TD (collector's mark of Thomas Dimsdale, Lugt no. 2426)
Stamped in black ink (verso): gr (unidentified collector's mark, Lugt no. 1205a).
Inscribed on on label affixed to backing: Art Mounting / And Framing. / Drawings, Etchings & Mezzotints Cleaned and Repaired. / Collections arranged and put in order. / Robert Guerault / No. 10 Hollywood Road / South Kensington / London SW
Inscribed in graphite (verso, upper left corner): 12
Inscribed in graphite (verso, center): NO 1220
Stamped in blue ink (verso): ISG
Stamped (verso, in monogram): TD (collector's mark of Thomas Dimsdale, Lugt no. 2426)
Stamped in black ink (verso): gr (unidentified collector's mark, Lugt no. 1205a).
Inscribed on on label affixed to backing: Art Mounting / And Framing. / Drawings, Etchings & Mezzotints Cleaned and Repaired. / Collections arranged and put in order. / Robert Guerault / No. 10 Hollywood Road / South Kensington / London SW
ProvenanceNotesCollection of Thomas Dimsdale (1756–1825), banker and collector, London.
Collection of Sir John Charles Robinson (1824–1913), museum curator, collector, and connoisseur, London.
Purchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner at auction from the sale of Sir John Charles Robinson's collection at Christie, Manson and Woods, London for £11 on 13 May 1902, through the dealers Thomas Agnew & Sons, lot 183. (as the work of Leonardo da Vinci, 1452–1519)
Collection of Sir John Charles Robinson (1824–1913), museum curator, collector, and connoisseur, London.
Purchased by Isabella Stewart Gardner at auction from the sale of Sir John Charles Robinson's collection at Christie, Manson and Woods, London for £11 on 13 May 1902, through the dealers Thomas Agnew & Sons, lot 183. (as the work of Leonardo da Vinci, 1452–1519)
