Den hellige Laurentius præsenterer de fattige for kejser Decius 1585 - 1586

Romulo Cincinnato created this drawing, "Saint Lawrence Presenting the Poor to Emperor Decius," sometime in the late 16th century. Cincinnato, living in a world deeply shaped by religious conflict and the Counter-Reformation, would have been very familiar with stories of devotion and martyrdom. Here, the artist captures a moment of defiance and compassion. Saint Lawrence, a figure celebrated for his care of the poor, stands before the emperor, presenting the impoverished as the church’s true treasures. The drawing highlights the tension between earthly power and spiritual wealth, challenging the viewer to consider where true value lies. Notice the expressive faces of the poor, their vulnerability palpable, contrasted with the stoic, detached demeanor of the emperor and his court. Cincinnato uses the narrative to underscore the Church's alignment with the marginalized. It asks us to consider the emotional and moral dimensions of wealth and poverty, power and piety.