Saint Francis Holding a Crucifix n.d.

"Saint Francis Holding a Crucifix" is a red chalk drawing by French sculptor Edme Bouchardon (1698–1762). The drawing depicts Saint Francis, an Italian Catholic friar, holding a crucifix. Bouchardon created the drawing in a classical style, with an emphasis on the figure's anatomy and drapery. The drawing is a preparatory study for a larger sculpture, which was likely commissioned for a church or chapel. The drawing is now part of the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago, and it is a testament to Bouchardon's mastery of the human form.