Angel
1778. Red chalk, White chalk on dark toned paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for a figure of an angel in a section of the cupola interior of the chancel in the Chapel of the Palace of Aranjuez. The drawing depicts a figure kneeling on a cloud. The study of the cloak is very thorough. Nevertheless, the figure is barely sketched. The museum keeps a preparatory sketch (P002952), in which the similarities can be perceived, from the same section of The Attributes of the Virgin. However, this drawing does not show the attributes. Francisco Bayeu also painted other parts of the chapel including the cupola, in which he developed the following themes: The Glory of the Lamb of God over the High Altar; in front, Faith with the Tablets of the Law; on the Gospel side, there is Saint Luke painting the Virgin, and on the Epistle side, the Prophet Isaiah. The Museo del Prado keeps various related preparatory drawings and sketches.
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.63
