Die Investitur des Petrus Nolascus

In his late works Bourdon composed his pictures with clearly legible visual axis forming a rigidly structured composition. The large drawing prepared the altar painting "The Investiture of Saint Pierre Nolasque". The painted version was originally kept in the church of the order Our Lady of Mercy Sainte Avoye in Paris  and was then moved to Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois in Paris. Pierre Nolasque was beatified in 1628. The painting was executed around or shortly after the saint's canonization in 1655. Drawing and painting show Pierre Nolasque receiving his habit from Beranger, Bishop of Barcelone, in the presence of the King of Aragón, Jacques I. at the left side of the sheet.  Even though drawing and the painting differ in some details the sheet can be considered a reception piece due to its size and its careful excution.