Saint John the Evangelist
1781. White chalk, Red chalk on dark toned paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for the figure of Saint John the Evangelist in the central left part of the cupola interior of the fresco Regina Apostolorum. The latter was painted in 1781 and is located in the left nave of the Holy Chapel of the Basilica of the Pilar in Zaragoza. The Museo Diocesano in Zaragoza keeps two preparatory sketches, one of them in grisaille. In addition, the museum keeps various preparatory drawings for the same fresco. This work depicts the figure facing forward, seated on a cloud and holding an open book with his left arm. His right arm is extended downwards. The study of the clothing is very thorough. However, his head is barely sketched. The Museo del Prado keeps a detailed head study (D000495) for this figure.
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.79-80
