Head for the Figure of the Virgin
1791. Red chalk on brown paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for the figure of the Virgin in the fresco of Adoration of the Shepherds 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 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. The Museo del Prado keeps various related preparatory drawings. This drawing depicts the study of a head intended for the main figure. The head is depicted facing the front with her gaze lowered and her hair tied back. In the upper register of the drawing, there is a study of two hands: one holds a book and the other a cloth for other figures in the same fresco.
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.103
