The Martyrdom of the Apostle Thomas

Giovanni Lanfranco

1638–1646 · Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, spots of red wash at upper right and left · Drawings and Prints

An excellent example of Lanfranco's Neapolitan manner with pen and ink, this study is preparatory for a fresco of the Martyrdom of Saint Matthias, at the right of a window in the inner façade of the church of Santi Apostoli, Naples. Between 1638 and 1646 Lanfranco frescoed the interior of this church with scenes of the Apostles' deaths by martyrdom. Other studies for the same compositions are now in the Museo di Capodimonte (Naples), Royal Collections at Windsor Castle, and the Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe degli Uffizi (Florence).

Artist

Giovanni Lanfranco

Date

1638–1646

Medium

Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, spots of red wash at upper right and left

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Walter Lowry, 1956