Bon Boullogne
1649-1717
Saint Thomas Looking Upwards, Seated on a Cloud Supported by Two Angels, Two Putti Reading a Book Above
12 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches (322 x 266 mm)
Black chalk, white opaque watercolor, pen and gray ink and wash, on light brown paper.
2006.36
Purchased on the Lois and Walter C. Baker Fund.
Notes
This drawing is preparatory for the artist's painting of Saint Thomas for the vault decoration of the Royal Chapel at the Chateau de Versailles. The chapel was one of the last major projects carried out under Louis XIV at Versailles. Although announced in 1682, work only began in 1699 and was completed in 1710. In this sketch, the skeptical apostle Thomas, carrying his lance, is born aloft on a cloud ushered by two angels. The painted panel is in the upper story flanking the central barrel vault, which was frescoed by Antoine Coypel. Boullogne's painted composition is square rather than vertical, but otherwise adheres closely to the arrangement delineated in the Morgan's drawing.
Inscriptions/Markings
Inscribed at lower left in pen and brown ink, "L.B." On a label removed from frame, COLLECTION VERGUES NOTAIRE / A CARCASSONNE / ECOLE FRANCAISE XVII Siècle / Lafosse / ancienne Coll Peyre de Narbonne.
Watermark: chaplet with Maltese cross (partial; cf. Heawood 228: Paris, 1655 or later).
Watermark: chaplet with Maltese cross (partial; cf. Heawood 228: Paris, 1655 or later).
Associated names
Peyre, former owner.
Vergues, former owner.
Vergues, former owner.
Artist
Classification
Century Drawings
School
Catalog link
Department