St. Thomas the Apostle, for the Church of St. Vaast in Arras 1832

Alexandre Denis Abel de Pujol created this pencil drawing of St. Thomas the Apostle in 1852 for the Church of St. Vaast in Arras. The composition is dominated by the figure of St. Thomas, whose body and drapery fill the frame, creating a sense of both monumentality and intimacy. Note the sinuous lines which define the folds of his robe and the contours of his limbs. These lines create a dynamic rhythm that leads the eye across the composition. The drawing’s minimalist approach—limited to line and tone—allows us to focus on the essential forms and the artist’s skillful rendering of light and shadow. Pujol uses hatching and subtle gradations to suggest depth and volume, particularly in the rendering of the drapery. The figure’s pose, with one hand raised towards an unseen source of light, evokes a sense of spiritual questioning. This drawing serves not just as a study for a larger work but as a meditation on faith, doubt, and the power of artistic representation.