Faith

Faith by John Downman (English, 1750-1824) or after Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael (Italian, 1483-1520), is an exceptional example of 18th-century English draughtsmanship and academic practice. Executed in 1774, this drawing utilizes precise applications of pen and brown ink, supplemented by faint traces of underlying graphite visible on the ivory laid paper. The piece resides within the distinguished permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, illustrating the period’s dedication to capturing theological virtues through classical composition.

The dual attribution inherent in this classification suggests that Downman may have undertaken this work as a direct study or copy of an earlier Italian masterwork, reflecting the enduring influence of Raphael upon subsequent generations of European artists. Downman, a celebrated portraitist active in England during the Neoclassical movement, frequently engaged in drawing as a means of improving technical skill, focusing on line work, anatomy, and drapery. This drawing demonstrates the high level of technical precision valued in academic circles, where copying canonical compositions was a standard part of an artist's training.

Completed nearly fifty years before the artist’s death, this piece contributes significantly to understanding British artistic output in the latter half of the 18th century. Given its age and origin in England, the work is classified as being in the public domain. Consequently, high-quality images and reproduction prints are accessible globally, ensuring that students and enthusiasts can study the draughtsmanship utilized in this critical drawing attributed to John Downman.