1) Two studies of a Nymph (ceiling figure); 2) Head of a Cherub
Francisco Bayeu y Subias, 1) 1764; 2) 1769
Bayeu y Subías was a leading court painter and teacher at the Madrid academy. In the 1760s, his career was promoted by Anton Raphael Mengs, who worked side by side with Giambattista Tiepolo at the Spanish court. These two attractive and important sheets illustrate BayeuÂ’s style and artistic practice at a time when he admired Tiepolo and was strongly influenced by Mengs. The two drawings are preparatory studies for royal commissions, a fresco and a religious painting. They relate to a period of intense artistic development for Bayeu, and for the young Goya who was closely associated with him. The drawings have transformed the Ashmolean's small collection of Spanish art and complement other 18th-century drawings in the collection including works by Mengs, Tiepolo, Goya, and other European Neo-classical artists.
More information
Title of artwork, date
1) Two studies of a Nymph (ceiling figure); 2) Head of a Cherub, 1) 1764; 2) 1769
Date supported
2009
Medium and material
1) chalk & graphite on paper; 2) chalk heightened with white on paper
Dimensions
1) 29.2 x 31 cm; 2) 24.3 x 30.6 cm
Grant
7042
Total cost
28909

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