Study for a Head of Saint John the Evangelist

Andrea Sarto

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Andrea Sarto. The drawing shows the bust of a man turned towards the right and looking upwards. The man's hair is straight and almost reaches his sholders and the details of his clothing are not drawn in. He has strong features and his eyes look to the upper left corner. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 5 ANDREA DEL SARTO (b. 1486; d. 1531) STUDY FOR A HEAD OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST Collection of Henry Oppenheimer, Esq. From the Peter Lely and Richardson Collections. Black chalk. 31.3 x 23 cm. (12 5/16 x 9 1/16 in.). In the master's finest manner, with an unusual subtlety of sentiment and expression. To all appearence a preliminary study for the St. John in the great composition of the Assumption of the Virgin of which there exist two somewhat varying versions in the Pitti Gallery at Florence, one formerly in the cathedral of Cortona, the other first executed for the Panciatichi family and later preserved in the Villa Baroncelli. On the reverse is a red chalk sketch of a horse with a rider, whose body is out of the drawing. S. C."