Vor der von Engeln umgebenen Madonna kniet rechts ein heiliger Mönch (Franziskus_) 

Nikolaus Gottfried Stuber made this red chalk drawing, Vor der von Engeln umgebenen Madonna kniet rechts ein heiliger Mönch (Franziskus_), sometime in the first half of the 18th century. Stuber worked in an era defined by the Baroque aesthetic, an era where art served as a tool to reinforce religious and political power. This sketch depicts the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels with Saint Francis kneeling before her. Saint Francis was known for his devotion to poverty and his intense connection with the divine, characteristics that endeared him to many. It’s interesting to consider how images like this one, popular at the time, shaped perceptions of holiness and virtue, emphasizing humility and religious devotion as ideal traits. The emotional intensity captured in the drawing – the reverence of Saint Francis, the serene presence of Mary, the ethereal quality of the angels – invites us to reflect on the intersections of faith, power, and identity during this period. Drawings like this allowed viewers to experience a sense of spiritual connection, reinforcing the cultural and religious values of the time.