Studies voor religieuze schilderijen 1656 - 1666

This small drawing was made by Mattia Preti, sometime in the 17th century, as studies for religious paintings. Preti was an Italian Baroque artist, who spent much of his career in Southern Italy and Malta, areas marked by their complex colonial histories. Here, rendered in red chalk, are sketches of figures seemingly caught in moments of intense action. The figures twist and turn; a man stands poised with a sword, while others appear to fall. Above them all we can make out the figure of Christ on the cross. Preti is thinking through the drama and emotion inherent to religious narratives. It’s important to remember that during the Baroque era, the Catholic Church wielded considerable influence, employing art as a means to inspire faith. Preti’s figures, caught in their dramatic poses, seek to elicit a strong emotional response in the viewer. The drawing, with its religious theme, gives us an interesting glimpse into the world of faith, power, and representation.