Eight Apostles c. 1514

This red chalk drawing, created around 1514 by the renowned High Renaissance artist Raphael, depicts eight apostles in profile, their heads and shoulders visible. The drawing is a preparatory study for a larger fresco, likely for the Vatican. The apostles' focused expressions and poses suggest their unwavering devotion, a hallmark of Raphael's ability to convey religious fervor through his art. The delicate lines and subtle shading of the red chalk contribute to the drawing's sense of intimacy and spirituality.