Head for the Figure of the Virgin
1791. Red chalk on brown paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for a female head for the fresco The Flight into Egypt 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 this theme, The Flight into Egypt. Finally, on the cupola interior 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. This drawing is a study of the head intended for the figure of the Virgin. She is depicted facing forwards, and her head turned to the right with her gaze downwards and her hair tied back. The study is very thorough. The Museo del Prado keeps various related preparatory drawings. Nevertheless, there is also a preparatory sketch of this fresco, attributed to Maella, in a private collection in Barcelona. Camarón made an etched print of the fresco.
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.106
