Four Evangelists c. 1544

Domenico Beccafumi’s “Four Evangelists” (c. 1544) is a brown ink drawing that depicts four figures, presumably the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, seated in a group, some reading books and others listening. It is a study for a larger work, and the dynamic composition and dramatic lighting are hallmarks of Beccafumi’s style. This drawing is a great example of the detailed and expressive studies that the artist used in his artistic process. The Art Institute of Chicago holds this drawing in their collection.