The Incredulity of Saint Thomas

This drawing bears stylistic similarities to works by Taddeo from about 1556-58. The languid pose of Christ with his outstretched arm and open hand is similar to several depictions of Saint John the Baptist from this period. For example, see Saint John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness at the Morgan Library (inv. It.16.19; E. James Mundy, Renaissance into Baroque: Italian Master Drawings by the Zuccari 1550-1600, exh. cat., Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, and National Academy of Design, New York, 1989-1990, pp. 104-06, no. 22); Saint John the Baptist, formerly in the Ferretti collection (Mundy, op. cit., pp. 144-45, no. 40), and another at Christie's, New York, 31 January 2013, lot 100. A study of Saint Paul for Taddeo's painting Healing of the cripple of 1558-59 in the Frangipani Chapel in San Marcello al Corso, Rome is also a variant of this pose, albeit with the figure covered with heavier, more sculptural drapery. While the present drawing is not connected to any known painted composition by Taddeo, it is a fully conceived composition. The artist has indicated with a pale grey wash a large column behind the figure of Christ, and in the upper left several slanted-roof buildings.

The attribution of this drawing has previously been confirmed by E. James Mundy.