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Studies of Saint James the Greater

Carlo Maratta

1686

chalk

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Studies of Saint James the Greater is a 1686 chalk by Carlo Maratta, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Carlo Maratta
When & what style?: 1686 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a robed figure with one arm raised and the other resting on a draped cloth. The lines are loose and quick, with red chalk shading the folds of the fabric and the figure’s flowing hair. A small circle of white chalk highlights the face, giving it a faint glow. The artist used red chalk to build up the forms, adding white only for key details. This was a common way to prepare ideas for larger paintings. Next, look up sfumato to see how artists softened edges like this.