A Saint Holding a Book c. 1640

"A Saint Holding a Book" is a drawing by the Italian artist Gioacchino Assereto, dating back to around 1640. The drawing depicts a saint, likely a biblical figure, from behind, holding an open book. The drawing is executed in a masterful combination of red and black chalk, highlighting the form and drapery of the figure with delicate shading. This preparatory drawing demonstrates Assereto's skill in rendering the human form, a characteristic that would later define his larger paintings. The drawing's small size suggests it was created as a study for a larger work, a common practice among artists during the Baroque period.