Artwork
A Sculpture of Saint Benedict in a Niche
A Sculpture of Saint Benedict in a Niche is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Jakob Frey. It dates from 1735 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:by later hand, lower left in graphite: Frey; by later hand, upper left verso in graphite: x403 (in circle); by later hand, upper center verso in red crayon: D498 (in circle); by later hand, center verso in graphite: Coll Mark / Frey / or Gellozzi / 17th sch / Caracci / School; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: Coll on(superscript) Vallardi
About this work
Overview
A Sculpture of Saint Benedict in a Niche is a 1735 red chalk drawing on brown laid paper, heightened with white chalk, attributed to Jakob Frey.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a sculptural representation of Saint Benedict standing in a niche, identifiable by his staff (right hand) and book (left hand), accompanied by a small, naturalistically rendered angel at the base, gazing upwards.
Technique & Style
Frey employed chiaroscuro to dramatic effect, emphasizing the saint's form against a subdued, textured background, with the contrast of red and white chalk adding depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1735, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
The work reflects Baroque influences, evident in its use of chiaroscuro, a technique popularized by artists like Caravaggio, though here applied in a drawing medium.
Legacy
The drawing's impact or influence on subsequent art is not detailed in the provided sources, focusing instead on its compositional and technical aspects.
Artist & collection
