Study of a head for the figure of a Saint Francis de Sales
1784 - 1788. White chalk, Black chalk on green paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for the figure of Saint Francis de Sales in the foreground on the upper left corner of The Altarpiece of the Sacred Heart, located in the Parish church of Pedrola in Zaragoza. The Duchess of Villahermosa Collection keeps a preparatory drawing. The Museo del Prado keeps many related preparatory drawings and an engraving of the altarpiece by Manuel Salvador Carmona (G002727). This drawing is a study of the saint’s head; he is depicted in profile, with his gaze raised, bearded and bald. The study is very thorough. One of the related drawings is a study of four hands in different positions (D000372). The two raised hands on the left are intended for the figure of this saint.
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos. II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.91
