The Continents of Asia and America

Carlo Maratta, 1674

Maratti compressed the two female figures representing Asia and America and their attributes together in an awkward, triangular space with considerable virtuosity. Initially the idea was that each corner of the sala grande in Palazzo Altieri in Rome would represent one continent – standing for the omnipotence of the patron Pope Clement x. But because only three spandrels were available, the decorative programme – which was never realized – had to be modified.

  • Artwork typedrawing, design
  • Object numberRP-T-1989-81
  • Dimensionsheight 486 mm x width 362 mm
  • Physical characteristicsrood krijt

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Saint John the Evangelist on Patmos

circle of Carlo Maratta, c. 1680 - c. 1720

Saint John the Evangelist on Patmos

Vrouw en twee kinderen

manner of Carlo Maratta, 1635 - 1713

Vrouw en twee kinderen

Studie voor een knielende kardinaal

Carlo Maratta, 1635 - 1713

Studie voor een knielende kardinaal

Maria Magdalena het Kruis aanbiddend

Carlo Maratta, 1680 - 1685

Maria Magdalena het Kruis aanbiddend

Twee studies van een arm en een kleed

attributed to Carlo Maratta, 1635 - 1713

Twee studies van een arm en een kleed

De heilige Margaretha

attributed to Carlo Maratta, 1635 - 1713

De heilige Margaretha

Identification

  • Title(s)

    The Continents of Asia and America

  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-T-1989-81

  • Description

    Ontwerp voor een fresco.

Creation

  • Creation

    draftsman (artist): Carlo Maratta

  • Dating

    1674

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    rood krijt

  • Dimensions

    height 486 mm x width 362 mm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    Purchased with the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt, with additional funding from the Prins Bernhard Fonds, the Rijksmuseum-Stichting and the De Ster Holding BV

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1989

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; collection Carel Vosmaer (1826-88), Montreux;{Amsterdam 1989, p. 45, no. 2.} his son, Prof. Dr Gualtherus Carel Jacob Vosmaer (1854-1916), Leiden; his son, C.J.J.G. Vosmaer (1907-86), Leiden; his heirs; from whom, fl. 650,000, with 212 other drawings, to the museum, with support from the Vereniging Rembrandt, the Rijksmuseum Stichting and The Ster, 1989

  • Remarks

    Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.

Documentation

  • 'Tentoonstelling in het Rijksmuseum : De verzameling van mr. Carel Vosmaer', Bulletin van het Rijksmuseum 37 (1989), p. 46-47.

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