Compositional Study for Handing-over the Keys

This drawing is a study for the tapestry Handing-over the Keys.

Counterproofing is a technique that found many useful applications in Raphael’s workshop. It is a simple process whereby a piece of slightly dampened paper is pressed down on a drawing, retaining an impression as it is pulled away, a technique that works most effectively with red chalk. The resulting image can be reworked, saved as a record for future needs or retained by assistants for purposes of study.

The original drawing of this counterproof now exists only in fragmentary sections with the heads of the clustered apostles, and the isolated figure that represented Christ.