Head for the Figure of Melchior
1791. White chalk, Black chalk on dark toned paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for the figure of Melchior in the fresco The Adoration of the Magi in the Chapel of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. On the cupola interior, Francisco Bayeu depicted the Eternal Father on the throne surrounded by angels and seraphim. On the side walls, the Adoration of the Shepherds is depicted. Saint Luke appears on the right. The Adoration of the Magi and Saint Matthew are depicted on the frontispiece and two groups of angels appear on a painting over the door. On the walls on either side of the small window, he depicted The Visitation and the Flight into Egypt. Finally, on the cupola located in the small room where the altar is situated, he depicted the Holy Spirit surrounded by angels between Saint John the Evangelist and Solomon. The Museo del Prado keeps various related preparatory drawings.
This is a study of the head for the figure of the Wise Man. The figure is depicted in left profile and is very thorough. The Museo del Prado keeps the study of the whole figure (D000402).
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.104
