Saint John the Baptist Drawing after Francesco Albani Italy Antique Religious Scene

Description

Saint John the Baptist drawing after Francesco Albani

A large antique graphite drawing depicting Saint John the Baptist preaching to a gathering of men, women and children in a wooded landscape. The composition follows Francesco Albani (1578–1660), the Bolognese painter also known as L’Albane.

The composition was circulated through an engraving entitled “Vox clamantis in deserto: Poenitentiam agite…”, published in Paris by Jean-Baptiste de Poilly during the 1690s. The Imago heritage catalogue of Emilia-Romagna records an impression and identifies Nicolas de Poilly the Elder as the engraver.

The work offered here is a graphite drawing by an unidentified artist, probably dating from the eighteenth century. It is a drawn interpretation after Albani’s composition.

Saint John occupies the right side of the scene, holding a long cross and addressing his listeners. Three groups of mothers with their children lead the eye from the left foreground towards the centre of the gathering. Their arrangement contributes to the balance of the composition and directs attention towards the preacher.

The artist has carefully described the faces, gestures and folds of the clothing. Fine graphite strokes model the figures and give texture to the trees and foliage. A boat on the water at the left and smaller figures in the distance extend the narrative beyond the principal gathering.

Measuring nearly fifty centimetres across, the sheet offers considerable detail and a strong decorative presence. Its subject will appeal to collectors of religious drawings and works inspired by Italian painting.

Details:
• Subject: Saint John the Baptist Preaching.
• Composition after: Francesco Albani.
• Draughtsman: unidentified.
• Proposed date: eighteenth century.
• Medium: graphite on non-laid paper.
• Sheet dimensions: 49.7 × 37.3 cm.
• Presentation: unframed.

Condition: an old restoration near Saint John’s knee and a repaired small hole near his elbow. A short tear is present near an illegible inscription, together with a slight stain around the foliage on the right. The paper shows signs of age. Please examine the photographs carefully for the condition and details of the sheet.