Fire helgener foran et helligt billede 1563 - 1610

"Fire helgener foran et helligt billede" is a red chalk drawing by Italian artist Francesco Vanni, dated between 1563 and 1610. The work, currently housed at the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen, depicts four saints standing in front of a sacred image. The drawing is a preparatory study for a larger painting, as evidenced by the incomplete details and the blank space where the central image would have been. The composition, dominated by flowing lines and graceful figures, exemplifies the artist's refined style, characterized by elegant gestures and dramatic lighting. This piece offers a glimpse into Vanni's creative process and his skill in capturing the devotional atmosphere of religious art.