Saint Bernard
1784 - 1788. White chalk, Black chalk on green paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for the figure of Saint Bernard. He is depicted in the midground and located in the left part of the lower register of the Sacred Heart Altarpiece in the Parish Church of Pedrola in Zaragoza. The Duke of Villahermosa Collection keeps a preparatory sketch. On the other hand, the Museo del Prado also keeps several related preparatory drawings and an engraving of an altarpiece by Manuel Salvador Carmona (G002727). This drawing depicts a kneeling figure in right profile, covered by a large habit and with his elbows on the ground. The study of the clothing is very thorough, whereas the hands are barely sketched. One of the related drawings is a study of four hands in different positions (D000372): the hands studied on the right, clasped together, are intended for this drawing.
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.90
