The Visitation
1791. White chalk, Black chalk on green paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for two figures intended for the fresco The Visitation in the Chapel of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. The Calcografía Nacional keeps this fresco, of which Ramón Bayeu made an etching. On the cupola, Francisco Bayeu depicted the Eternal Father on the throne surrounded by angels and seraphim. On the side walls, the Adoration of the Shepherds is depicted. Saint Luke appears on the right. The Adoration of the Magi and Saint Matthew are depicted on the frontispiece and two groups of angels appear on a painting over the door. On the walls, on either side of the small window, he depicted The Visitation and the Flight into Egypt. Finally, on the cupola located in the small room where the altar is situated, he depicted the Holy Spirit surrounded by angels between Saint John the Evangelist and Solomon. The Museo del Prado keeps various related preparatory drawings.
In this drawing, on the right, the Virgin is depicted standing in left profile with her arms outstretched towards Saint Elizabeth. On the left, Saint Elizabeth is in right profile. The study of the clothing is thorough, whereas the figures are barely sketched.
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.101-102
