Spanish female saints
Ca. 1882. Oil on canvas.On display elsewhere
This preparatory sketch belongs to the project for the decoration of the basilica of San Francisco el Grande in Madrid. In this case, it is intended for the decoration of the vault of the basilica´s presbytery, together with the painting Spanish Saints (P006706). Both works have an extremely simple composition, with eight figures, two standing and six genuflecting, supported by a cloud beneath which are three angels. In this case, the angels are carrying palms, while in the companion sketch they carry three laurels and a palm. The represented Spanish female saints are, from left to right, Saint Leocadia (Toledo, 3rd–4th c.), Saint Engracia (Braga, Portugal, ca. 285–Zaragoza, 305), Saint Casilda (Toledo, 2nd c.), Saint Elisabeth of Portugal (1271–1336), Saint Maria de Cervellon (Barcelona, 1230–1290), Saint Eulalia of Merida (Merida, 292–304), Saint Eulalia of Barcelona (Barcelona, ca. 290–304) and Saint Teresa of Jesus (Avila, 1515–Alba de Tormes, Salamanca, 1582)
G. Navarro, Carlos, Los bocetos para la decoración de San Francisco el Grande (1880-1889). Boletín del Museo del Prado, 2003, p.64
