Two Angels, Study for the Val de Grâce 1620 - 1695

This preparatory drawing by Pierre Mignard, dating from 1620-1695, is a study for the artist's famous "Val de Grâce" ceiling painting. The drawing depicts two angels, one with wings outstretched and the other reclining, with a grid superimposed over the composition. This grid, known as a "quadrille", was a common tool used by artists to transfer designs from a small-scale sketch to a larger surface. The intricate details of the angels' anatomy and drapery reveal Mignard's masterful skill in drawing. This study, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, offers a glimpse into the creative process of this prominent Baroque artist.