Saint Stephen c. 1730s - 1740s

This black chalk drawing of Saint Stephen by the Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Piazzetta, is a striking example of his expressive style. Created in the 1730s or 1740s, the work captures the intense emotion of the saint, as he looks upwards in a moment of divine inspiration. The use of strong contrasts of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, highlights the features of the saint’s face. Piazzetta's work draws the viewer into the emotional depth of the religious figure, making this drawing a powerful example of Baroque art.