Thomas of Villanova, Archbishop of Valencia Distributing Alms to the Poor

Pedro Orrente

ca. 1620–45 · Brush and red wash over black chalk · Drawings and Prints

Pedro Orrente worked mainly in and around Valencia. He is best known for his large drawings executed in red wash, of which this is a fine example. Thomas of Villanova (1488–1555) was a Spanish friar of the Augustinian order. Because of his many acts of charity, he is known as the "father of the poor." Here, Villanova is shown distributing alms to those kneeling before him. He is depicted again at right performing a similar act. The drawing is not related to a known painting and seems to be one of his many independent sheets. At the bottom of the sheet is the inscription "14Rs," the price for which the drawing sold, presumably in the seventeenth century.

Artist

Pedro Orrente

Date

ca. 1620–45

Medium

Brush and red wash over black chalk

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Bequest of Harry G. Sperling, 1971