Italian School, Roman, 17th century
The execution of a martyr c. 1620-50
Red and black chalk, with pen and brown ink | 42.7 x 32.0 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 901327
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A drawing of an executioner bending over a decapitated corpse, gripping the severed head in his extended left hand. Behind, on the right,
a robed figure stands pointing languidly, and the head of another figure is visible over his shoulder.
Although this drawing is from the Domenichino volumes, it is by an artist who also knew the work of Pietro da Cortona.Provenance
Probably acquired by George III in 1762 as part of the collection of Cardinal Alessandro Albani; first recorded in a Royal Collection inventory of c.1800-1820 (Inv. A, p. 94: 'A Saint beheaded')
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Medium and techniques
Red and black chalk, with pen and brown ink
Measurements
42.7 x 32.0 cm (sheet of paper)
Object type(s)
