Bergung eines Jünglings in Anwesenheit von zwei Mönchen und zwei Frauen, darüber in Wolken die Madonna mit Kind und zwei Heilige 

Paolo Farinati made this drawing, "Bergung eines Jünglings in Anwesenheit von zwei Mönchen und zwei Frauen, darüber in Wolken die Madonna mit Kind und zwei Heilige", in 16th-century Italy with pen, brush, and grey and blue wash on paper. It depicts a scene of rescue, but this is not just an everyday event; the inclusion of religious figures transforms it into a demonstration of divine intervention. Monks, women, and the rescued youth form a terrestrial plane, while above, the Madonna, child, and saints hover in the clouds, their presence indicating the source of salvation. Farinati lived and worked in Verona, a region deeply influenced by religious institutions and the social structures they upheld. Drawings like this one acted as preparatory studies for larger works or as independent pieces for a discerning clientele with religious leanings. By examining Farinati's drawing, we gain insight into the artistic practices of the time, the social function of religious imagery, and the power dynamics between the Church, its followers, and the artists who served their spiritual needs. By studying such works, considering workshop practices, and analyzing patronage networks, we can better appreciate the complex interplay between art, society, and belief in early modern Italy.