Saint Roch 1535 - 1573

Battista Angolo del Moro created this detailed drawing of Saint Roch using pen and brown ink on paper. The composition is structured around the vertical axis of the tree trunk, around which Saint Roch is standing. To the left, an angel appears in the clouds, balancing the solidity of the tree with a divine presence. The artist's technique, characterized by fine, closely-spaced lines, creates subtle gradations of light and shadow which model the figures and landscape, offering them volume and depth. This formal arrangement invites a semiotic interpretation: Saint Roch, often invoked against the plague, is depicted in communion with the natural and the divine. The linearity of the artwork emphasizes a clear, almost graphic quality, typical of the period. It's a visual language that challenges the viewer to reflect on themes of faith, healing, and humanity’s relationship with the divine during times of crisis.