Gino Parin (1876-1944)
Madonna and Child with Saints Peter and Paul
Charcoal on paper
1921
Collection of Necki Springer, Cottonwood, Arizona
Photograph courtesy of David Shaffer
During the first three decades of the 20th century, Parin created a number of Catholic-themed paintings that were exhibited throughout Italy.
This signed and dated charcoal drawing most likely represents a preparatory sketch for an altarpiece that was never finished. Its subject matter and composition demonstrate Parin’s deep knowledge of Italian Renaissance sacra conversazione (holy conversation) images, wherein the Madonna and Child appear in the company of saints. Worshippers would pray in front of these monumental devotional panels.
Parin’s sketch highlights two of Catholicism’s most important saints: Peter, the apostle, who became Rome’s first bishop/pope, and Paul who brought the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) in the Roman Empire. Each can be identified by their attributes: a key for Peter, a reminder that Jesus gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven; a book and sword for Paul, representing his preaching and eventual martyrdom.
Parin based the features of St. Paul, who stands under the arch on the right, on his own. That this was intentional can be seen in a stand-alone self-portrait he completed in 1921, which includes an inscription on its rear that reads, “study for St. Paul.”