SEBASTIANO RICCI (BELLUNO 1659-VENICE 1734)
Christ and the Woman who Believed
c.1724RCIN 405739
This painting belongs to the series of seven large paintings that Ricci made for Smith’s palazzo on the Grand Canal. This rarely painted story is told in three of the Gospels: a sick woman touches the fringe of Christ’s garment, believing that she will be cured. In Matthew’s account Jesus turns and says, ‘Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.’