Gaetano Gandolfi

D. Biagi Maino, Gaetano Gandolfi, Turin 1995, p. 410, under cat. no. 250

Framed. Mounted with perspex panel to expose signature, verso. There are some creases which appear to be faults in the paper rather than having occured later - two vertical creases at the upper edge, and a diagonal crease at the lower left corner. A slight area of thinning to the left of Christ's head, althoug this is only visible when the paper is held up to the light. There are a few tiny brown spots, although otherwise the paper appears to be fine and the chalk is still very strong.
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This is a preparatory study for a painting by Gaetano, formerly in the Lodi Fé collection, Bologna and now in a private collection, which Maino dates to 1798 on the basis of the inscription on the verso of the present drawing.¹  A less finished drawing relating to the same composition is in the Ratjen collection, at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.² 

While Christ was at supper with Simon the Pharisee, a harlot entered, bringing oil of myrrh in a flask.  Although she is identified with Mary Magdalene, from whom Christ exorcised seven devils, her true name remains unknown.  As she wept, her tears wetted Christ's feet, which she wiped with her hair and then anointed.  Christ preached that these actions proved her love and therefore that she was worthy of having her sins forgiven. 

This exchange is clearly depicted in the present work, and it is probably Judas Iscariot on Christ's right side who protests at the waste of the ointment.

1.  See Maino, loc.cit.
2.  See Italienische Zeichnungen, exhibition catalogue, Stuttgart, Staatsgalerie, 1977, p. 174, reproduced