Der Heilige Thomas erhält den Gürtel der Muttergottes 1580

Pellegrino Tibaldi’s drawing, "The Holy Thomas Receives the Girdle of the Virgin," captures a moment of spiritual awe through its dynamic composition and expressive lines. Observe how Tibaldi masterfully employs hatching and cross-hatching to sculpt the figure of St. Thomas, kneeling with hands outstretched. The raking light, suggested by the density of the lines, gives the form a tangible weight and presence, rooting it in a believable space despite the absence of a detailed background. The saint's upward gaze, combined with the swirling lines around his head, directs our attention to the unseen, celestial event. The intentional lack of precise detail invites viewers to actively participate in the construction of meaning, filling in the narrative gaps with their own interpretations. The sketch destabilizes the traditional, fixed representations of religious scenes, embracing a more subjective and dynamic visual language. This not only reflects Tibaldi’s formal experimentation but also invites a continual re-evaluation of faith and perception.