Two Studies of Prophets or Patriarchs

Stefano Zevio

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Stefano da Zevio. The drawing shows a cloaked man standing or sitting to the right of the composition facing the left and forwards. The man's left leg is bent though it is unclear if this is because he is sitting or standing with his left foot resting on something. He has his left fist resting on his thigh and his right hand raised to his face. The man is wearing a turban, the scarf of which hangs down the right side of his face. The man is looking forwards and up, towards the left. The text in the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society groups No.s 10 and 11 together. The text reads: "Nos. 13, 14 STEFANO DA ZEVIO (b. 1393; d. about 1450 ?) TWO STUDIES OF PROPHETS OR PATRIARCHS British Museum, 1895-9-15-788; from the Malcolm Collection. Pen and sepia. 23.2 x 21 cm. (9 1/8 x 8 1/4 in.) Two studies of seated figures on both sides of a single sheet. They belong in style to a group of drawings, most numerously represented in Florence and Paris, whose resemblance to Stefano's 'Adoration of the Magi' in the Brera (signed and dated 1435) renders the present attribution extremely probable. There are other examples of the group in the British Museum and at Dresden (L'Arte, 1907, p. 374, and 1901, p. 238). The present specimen is drawn with greater breadth and power than most of the others, but their common authorship is attested by details of correspondence (e.g. the continued line for forehead and nose, and the slim fingers with pointed nails) as well as by the general resemblance in the swinging pose and the long parallel curves of the line work. A. M. H."