The drawing corresponds to the painter’s mature period when he had already gained all his extensive experience and knowledge as a draughtsman. This is perceptible from the intelligent use of ink wash; that is to say, the application of the different layers of ink with the brush for shading and to create volume. This is achieved by pen strokes that recreate the folds of the fabric. It was initially sketched out with light charcoal outlines, softer than if they were in black pencil. At first glance, the stylus lines – used in other drawings for this series of the life of Saint Dominic – are not visible. This series was planned by Cano for the convent of Santa Cruz la Real in Granada and was finally painted by Antonio del Castillo, who also appeared to have made copies of these same drawings.

After Cano’s death, his drawings were in the possession of various artists. As early as the 18th century, Palomino mentioned having this series in his collection. In the second half of the century, the majority of his drawings were in the hands of a friend of Ceán’s, the engraver Pedro González de Sepúlveda, who also recorded in his diary that he possessed some of the drawings in this series. Although the latter may have sold or gifted some of them, just as he had done with Nicolás de Vargas, some of Sepúlveda’s drawings by Cano entered the royal collection through the painting studio of Vicente López. Subsequently, they entered the Museo del Prado. Others reached the National Library through Carderera – who had some drawings that had belonged to Sepúlveda – and José de Madrazo. In 1810, Sepúlveda additionally recorded that he had acquired a series of copies of drawings by Cano for the cloister of Santa Cruz la Real from the widow of the painter and engraver Jerónimo Gil after he died. However, Ceán indicated that he only had some of Cano’s sketches.

Hidalgo Caldas, Beatriz, ''El coleccionismo ilustrado de dibujos en Sevilla y Madrid durante el último tercio del siglo XVIII y comienzos del XIX a la luz de la colección de Ceán Bermúdez''. Ceán Bermúdez. Historiador del arte y coleccionista ilustrado, Madrid, Biblioteca Nacional de España, Centro de Estudios Europa Hispánica, 2016, p.309-339 [320]