Saint Francis Holding a Crucifix

Art Historical Context

Edme Bouchardon, a French sculptor of the 18th century and a key figure in the neoclassical movement, created this poignant drawing of *Saint Francis Holding a Cruc*. Dated undated (n.d.), it captures the humble saint—renowned for his devotion, stigmata, and affinity for nature—in a moment of quiet reverence, clutching the crucifix that symbolizes his profound faith. Bouchardon, who rose to prominence under Louis XV with grand public commissions like the Fontaine des Qu-Saisons, often produced such preparatory sketches to refine his mastery of human form and emotion. Rendered in red chalk (sanguine) on buff laid paper, the work measures 34.5 × 18.7 cm and exemplifies the medium's versatility. Red chalk, favored by artists like Leonardo and Rubens, allows for subtle tonal gradations and soft modeling, ideal for conveying the saint's gentle spirituality and draped robes. The buff laid paper, with its textured chain lines from traditional handmade production, enhances the chalk's warm hues, giving the piece an intimate, tactile quality typical of 18th-century draftsman studies. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this classified chalk drawing highlights Bouchardon's skill in bridging sculpture and graphic arts. It invites visitors to appreciate how such preparatory works laid the groundwork for his enduring neoclassical legacy, blending religious piety with classical elegance.

About the Artist

Edme Bouchardon · 1698–1762

Born 29 May 1698; died 27 July 1762. Bouchardon was a student of Guillaume Coustou, and won the prix de Rome in 1722. He spent ten years (1722-1732) in Rome, Italy working on various projects for Pope Clement XII. In 1732 Bouchardon was recalled to Paris and named sculptor to the king. Bouchardon became a professor at the Académie Royale in 1746. He worked on an equestrian monument of Louis XV, Ki...