Conversion of Saint Paul (recto), 1527-1528 (black chalk with brown ink framing lines (recto), on...

This sketch closely resembles Parmigianino’s completed painting of the Conversion of Saint Paul, commissioned by an unknown Bolognese patron and now in Vienna. The rapid execution in chalk using broad hatching and leaving numerous changes, known as pentimenti, demonstrates the primacy of drawing in Parmigianino’s working practice. It appears that the artist drew the muscular rearing horse first, as Paul’s head and arm bisect the horse’s leg. The artificial construction of his body through use of stylised curves demonstrates Parmigianino’s economical use of line.