Head for the Figure of the Virgin
1791. White chalk, Black chalk on green paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for the figure of the Virgin in the fresco The Visitation in the chapel of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. The Calcografía Nacional keeps this fresco, which was etched by Ramón Bayeu. 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 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 only studies the face of the main figure, depicted in three-quarter length and leaning to the left of the composition. The Museo del Prado keeps various related preparatory drawings as well as the preparatory drawing (D000598) for the whole figure.
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.102
