A Male Saint in Glory

Pedro Atanasio Bocanegra

about 1660–1689

Pen and brown and grayish brown inks, Pen

J. Paul Getty Museum

A male figure in robes stands amidst clouds, surrounded by cherubic figures. The drawing is rendered in brown ink on a tan background. A cloud of putti raise up to heaven an unknown saint with arms outstretched. Using rapid and somewhat sketchy penwork, Pedro Atanasio Bocanegra formed the saint and his chubby supporters with briskly drawn hatching. Quick lines suggest the extended fingers on the saint's right hand, while overlapping circles hint at the swirling motion of the putti. One putto even seems to ascend in a tornado like a small whirling dervish in the upper right. In the bottom corner, a plump cherub with tousled hair detaches himself from the group and flies off. Scholars believe that the saint is a deacon, since he wears a short tunic or dalmatic and a