The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, the art museum at Vassar College, has acquired the 17th-century Florentine Baroque masterwork painting, The Finding of Moses, by Italian artist Jacopo Vignali.
Signed and dated 1625
Oil on canvas
72 ½ x 82 ¾ inches (184 x 210 cm.)
"Beyond art history coursework, I think the painting will be interesting to students of Italian culture, the history of religion, women’s studies, and costume,” Yvone Elet, assistant professor of art history at Vassar, says. "Of course, the presence in our collection of both a preparatory oil sketch for the work and the finished painting is a tremendous teaching opportunity."
Vassar already possessed one of only two known oil sketches for the painting. Elet describes the "tremendous teaching opportunity" involved with Vassar's possession of both the sketch and finished product. She explains that the differences in composition, subjects, pose, and colors allow for "rich comparisons."
The Finding of Moses belonged to the Pucci family of Florence from 1625 (when it was commissioned) to the `60s, when it went to a private collection up until last fall, which Vassar says assures its authenticity.
Both the prepatory oil sketch and finished painting are currently on display through the month of August.
Admission to the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center is free and entirely wheelchair accessible. The Art Center is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10am-9pm and Sunday from 1-5pm. (845) 437-5632; Fllac.vassar.edu
