Study for the Pentecost c. 1580

Simone Peterzano made this drawing called "Study for the Pentecost" in Italy, sometime in the late 16th century, using pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper. Peterzano worked in Milan when it was under Spanish rule, so his art reflects both Italian and Spanish cultural influences. The Pentecost is a key event in Christianity when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. The drawing shows them gathered together, receiving divine inspiration. In the context of its time, this image resonates with the Catholic Church's efforts during the Counter-Reformation to reaffirm its authority and traditions. The focus on divine intervention can be seen as a push to strengthen religious belief and solidarity within the community, but also as a defense against the rising tide of Protestantism. To better understand this drawing, art historians study Peterzano’s biography as well as the religious and political history of Milan. This helps us appreciate how the art reflects the complex interactions between artistic expression, religious institutions, and cultural change.