The Apparition of Christ to Saint Ignatius
Ca. 1665. Grey-brown wash, Pencil on yellow paper.Not on display
Saint Ignatius is depicted kneeling to the left of the drawing as he raises his gaze towards Christ. The latter is carrying the Cross on his shoulders and is represented on a cloud and with cherubim to his left. In the foreground, there are two cherubim with the scourging pillar. Above the Saint, other angels fly with the remaining instruments of the Passion.
There are no records of compositions on this subject by Murillo, and it is difficult to accept the drawing as his or even by an artist of his immediate circle, despite the style of Murillo evident in the angels located in the upper register. The saint, Christ and some of the angels are closer to Valdés Leal’s style. Therefore, this drawing should be considered an anonymous work from Seville dating from the end of the century.
Pérez Sánchez, Alfonso E., Catálogo de Dibujos. Vol. I. Dibujos españoles siglos XV-XVII, Madrid, Museo del Prado, 1972, p.151-152
