An octagonal drawing in black chalk, brush and wash within a rectangular paper, depicting a seated female figure gazing demurely down to her right. Her hands are folded over a lamb she holds in her lap. It looks as though a martyr’s palm extends from her left hand. Below the octagon that contains the picture, the name “Sirani” is written across the bottom of the page. According to the description on the website: “This small study in octagonal format corresponds to the description of a work painted for Tuscan sculptor, Francesco Agnesini in 1656: ‘For Agnesino, sculptor, an octagon half figure in which there is a St Agnes.’ In this piece, wash creates a dark background and forms the figure using chiaroscuro contrasts.”

#SaintAgnes, 1656, by #ElisabettaSirani (Italian, 1638-1665). Held by Uffizi Galleries, www.uffizi.it/en/online-ex... #artherstory #womenartists #FeastofStAgnes #StAgnes

A pen and ink drawing of a barefoot, dark-haired young woman in a long dress sitting outdoors at the base of a tree, leaning against the trunk, gazing out into the distance. On her lap sits a book; she appears to be turning a page with her right hand. Her left hand rests on the shoulder of a lamb that cuddles at her left side.

#SaintAgnes, 1861, by #FrancescaAlexander (American, 1837-1917). Held by Wellesley College Special Collections. The image appears in The Art and Life of Francesca Alexander, by Jacqueline Marie Musacchio, www.lundhumphries.com/products/the... #artherstory #womenartists #FeastofStAgnes #StAgnes

#StAgnes, 1611-14, by #LaviniaFontana (Italian, 1552-1614). Held at Cappella Rivaldi, Santa Maria della Pace, Rome; source, upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co... #artherstory #womenartists #FeastofStAgnes