Saint Anthony of Padua
1670
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1670
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows Saint Anthony of Padua in a simple robe, pointing upward. His face looks calm, lit by soft light. The background is plain, letting his figure stand out. Luca Giordano made this with black chalk and brown wash. He layered the wash to create gentle shadows around Anthony’s face and hands. The marks are loose but careful, not stiff. This style reminds me of softer chalk drawings from the 1600s. See more of Giordano’s work at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
