Prophet Joel
XVIII century. Red chalk on dark yellow paper.Not on display
The drawing appears to be a copy of the oval with Prophet Joel painted by Luigi Garzi in the central nave of the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome. It forms part of the decoration of the church, which was commissioned by Pope Clement IX. According to Pascoli, Garzi was the first one to finish his canvas, which was de migliori reputato. These words do not seem to be consistent with the coarseness of the study in the Museo del Prado, which reflects the academic style of the 18th century. The inscription on the verso, which seems to be in the same red chalk as the sketch, is written in Spanish and not in Italian. Therefore, the possibility that the drawing was made by one of the Spanish artists studying in Rome in the mid-18th century should be dismissed.
Mena Marqués, Manuela, Museo del Prado, Catálogo de Dibujos. Vol. VI. Dibujos Italianos del Siglo XVII, Madrid, 1983, p.89
