(1486-1557) The Last Communion of St. Jerome, pen, brush and brown ink, heightened with white, on laid paper, laid down on cardboard, 62,2 x 42,4 cm, browned, somehwat stained, several repaired tears and losses, mounted, unframed, (Sch)

Literature: M. Faietti (Ed.), exh.cat. "Humanismus in Bologna 1490-1510", Pinacoteca Naz. di Bologna/ Vienna Albertina 1988, p. 302 f; R. Kultzen, "Eine Jacopo Francia zugeschriebene Entwurfszeichnung", in: W. Liebenwein/ A. Tempestini (Eds.), Gedenkschrift für Richard Harprath, Munich 1998, p. 237-242.

Rolf Kultzen is commenting on the present drawing in the Gedenkschrift for Richard Harprath, Munich 1998, p. 237ff: The graphic manner of the respective drawing reveals at first glance an Upper Italian, even Bolognese derivation of the 16th century. An allround view may suggest the hand of Jacopo Francia. At closer look the monumentality of the spacious architecture corresponds with a similar arrangement of the clergy who have gathered for the celebration of the Mass. The drawing line circumscribes the figures with thin and precise outlines and together with the application of wash and the addition of white heightenings applies to the force and presence of the figures‘ plastic monumentality. The application of the graphic means in the drawing can be identified with a sheet in the British Museum representing Sainte Apollonia (compare exh.cat. Bologna/ Vienna 1988, p. 302 f., No 89). The drawing may also be compared with another group of drawings which was represented in the catalogue of the exhibition "Bologna e l'Umanesimo 149-1510". On the grounds of these comparable examples the attribution of our drawing to Jacopo Francia, which is suggested here for the first time, seems justifed.