Large 17th-Century Drawing of the Martyrdom of Saint Andrew

Title:
Large 17th-Century Drawing of the Martyrdom of Saint Andrew – After Guido Reni | Provenance: Sotheby’s | 80 x 65 cm

Description:
A powerful and expressive large-scale drawing depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Andrew, attributed to the school or followers of Guido Reni (1575–1642). The work shows Saint Andrew bound to an X-shaped cross, moments before his crucifixion — a deeply moving scene from early Christian hagiography.

The composition is filled with dramatic motion: muscular executioners hoist the cross while Saint Andrew turns his gaze heavenward in serene resignation. This iconography, with its distinctive diagonal cross (crux decussata), is a direct reference to the saint’s legendary final moments.

Executed with strong, rhythmic contours and masterful shading, the drawing captures the graceful anatomical style and emotional clarity associated with Reni’s most iconic works. The sheet measures 80 x 65 cm, and is beautifully presented in a classic wooden frame.

Provenance: Sotheby’s (label on reverse)

About Guido Reni:
Born in Bologna in 1575, Guido Reni was one of the leading painters of the Italian Baroque, renowned for his harmonious compositions and idealized figures. A student of the Carracci and deeply inspired by Raphael, Reni developed a signature style combining classical beauty with spiritual emotion. His depictions of saints and mythological subjects made him immensely popular across Europe during his lifetime, and his influence endures today.