Studies of an Apostle Guided by an Angel and the Adoration of the Shepherds

1720

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Studies of an Apostle Guided by an Angel and the Adoration of the Shepherds is a 1720 by Agostino Masucci, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Agostino Masucci
When & what style?: 1720 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sheet holds four quick sketches in pencil and ink. The top two show a robed figure with wings—an angel—pointing or guiding a standing man. The bottom left has a group around a seated woman holding a baby, while the last sketch shows more figures in flowing clothes, some kneeling. The lines are loose but full of movement, with shadows and folds in the fabric. The angel’s wing feathers are drawn in light strokes, almost like a whisper. These sketches look like practice for a bigger work, maybe religious scenes. The artist played with shading and posture, trying different angles. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.