The Assumption of the Immaculate Virgin with St. John the Evangelist and Angels

This drawing was made in preparation for a fresco, made in 1680 - 1681. It differs slightly from the finished fresco, which shows an older, bearded St John the Evangelist with his attribute of an eagle. The image of the Immaculate Conception triumphing over Original Sin was based on John the Evangelist's description of his vision of the Virgin as the Woman of the Apocalypse (Revelation, ch.XII: verse 1-2) and was only officially recognised by the Roman Catholic Church in 1671. In this drawing Canuti gave the Virgin a halo composed of wash and blank paper as shown in the sensitively applied pale areas of wash in top centre, which would become in his fresco the golden light surrounding the Virgin.

This subtle use of colour was much admired by 18th century connoisseurs. William Roscoe (1753 - 1831) owned a further three wash drawings attributed to Canuti, all of which are now in the Walker's collection.