Young Angel
1778. White chalk, Red chalk on dark toned paper.Not on display
This is a preparatory drawing for the figure of the angel in the fresco Saint Luke Painting the Virgin on the Gospel side of the Royal Chapel in the Royal Palace of Aranjuez. The figure is seated and depicted on a cloud, with his head turned to the left of the drawing. His right arm is draped over his left shoulder with his index finger extended as if he were pointing at something. His right leg is concealed under the cloak, and his left is resting on the cloud and showing part of the sole. The Museo del Prado keeps the sketch for Saint Luke painting the Virgin (P000602) – in which the similarity between the drawing and the sketch can be perceived – where the Angel in the centre-left part points to Saint Luke. The Museum also keeps other drawings for the same sketch and fresco. They are intended for the main figure of Saint Luke: one is a drawing intended for Saint Luke himself (D002128) and the other is a study of a cloak for the same Saint (D000340). Francisco Bayeu also painted other parts of the chapel, including the cupola, on which he depicted the following themes: the Attributes of the Virgin and the Glory of the Lamb of God over the High Altar; facing the High Altar, the Allegory of the Church; in front, Faith with the Tablets of the Law, and on the side of the Epistle, the Prophet Isaiah. The Museum keeps the related preparatory drawings and sketches.
Arnáez, Rocío, Catálogo de Dibujos II. Dibujos españoles siglo XVIII. A-B, Madrid, 1975, p.65
