Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Antonio Puglieschi

1700 · Charcoal, traces of white highlighting, on beige paper (recto); faint figure studies in charcoal (verso) · Drawings and Prints

At the center of the composition Christ in glory points to the Holy Cross supported by angels. In the foreground are seated, among angels and putti, Saint Peter, the Blessed Virgin, Eve, Adam, Saint John the Baptist, and another Apostle, probably Saint Paul. The old annotation on the reverse of the sheet correctly identifies the purpose of the drawing: it is a study for the central section of the frescoed cupola in the chapel dedicated to the Holy Cross and the Passion of Christ, the second on the right in Saint Frediano in Cestello, Florence. This chapel was endowed in 1700. See nos. 1987.288 and 1987.307 for other drawings by Antonio Franchi (il Lucchese) related to San Frediano in Cestello.

Artist

Antonio Puglieschi

Date

1700

Medium

Charcoal, traces of white highlighting, on beige paper (recto); faint figure studies in charcoal (verso)

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Harry G. Sperling Fund, 1985