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Kneeling Angel

Pietro Testa

1636

chalk

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Kneeling Angel is a 1636 chalk by Pietro Testa, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Pietro Testa
When & what style?: 1636 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a single figure kneeling, with wings folded behind its back. The lines are loose and quick, made with a reddish-brown chalk. The paper has a textured, off-white background with faint grid marks. The artist focused on the figure’s flowing robes and the way the body bends. This style was common in religious sketches from the time. Next, look up Baroque to see how this sketch fits into that dramatic, expressive movement.