Study for the Trial of Saint Dominic's and Albigensian Books by Fire 1614 - 1616

This preparatory drawing by Italian artist Leonello Spada, executed between 1614 and 1616, depicts a scene from the life of Saint Dominic, who is shown overseeing the burning of heretical texts by the Albigensian sect in a monumental architectural setting. The sketch is now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago and showcases Spada's masterful use of red chalk to capture both the dramatic action of the scene and the intricate details of the figures and architecture. The preparatory drawing, a common practice in the Baroque era, allowed the artist to refine the composition and figure placement before executing a finished painting.