Head of a Dominican Nun: Study for the Ecstasy of Saint Dominic 1673 - 1675

Domenico Maria Canuti rendered this study of a Dominican nun’s head in black and red chalk on paper. The composition is dominated by the nun’s face, tilted upwards as if in divine contemplation. Canuti masterfully uses light and shadow to sculpt the face, creating a sense of volume and depth. The soft, diffused light enhances the ethereal quality, and the absence of sharp lines contributes to a dreamlike state. This study for "The Ecstasy of Saint Dominic" suggests the influence of Baroque ideals, yet, Canuti employs a subtle naturalism, capturing the emotional intensity of religious experience through delicate shading and the angle of the head, inviting the viewer to contemplate the intangible. The use of red chalk to highlight certain features adds warmth and vitality to the face. The overall effect is a study in how formal elements can convey profound spiritual and psychological states.