Decapitation of a Saint Interrupted by a Prodigy
Second half of the XVII century. Pencil ground, Grey-brown wash, Pencil on laid paper.Not on display
In the centre of the composition, the saint is depicted kneeling in profile towards the right. His hands are tied behind his back, and his head is bowed and crowned with rays of light. Behind him, the terrified executioner appears screaming in terror, with his sword having fallen on the ground and his left arm raised. The onlookers are shocked. In the background to the left, a horse rears up.
The work dates from 1650–1700. It is of a certain quality and is difficult to place stylistically. It has much of the style of artists from Madrid such as those in the Rizi-Coello circle. However, the execution is somewhat reminiscent of the Valencian style.
Pérez Sánchez, Alfonso E., Catálogo de Dibujos. Vol. I. Dibujos españoles siglos XV-XVII, Madrid, Museo del Prado, 1972, p.159-160
