The Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Andrew 

Bernardino India created this pen and brown ink drawing titled 'The Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Andrew’ sometime between 1528 and 1590. The figures emerge from the paper through a network of fine lines and layered washes. The composition is structured around a central, pyramidal arrangement of the Madonna and Child, flanked by the saints, creating a balanced yet dynamic visual field. India uses line and shadow to define form, with hatching and cross-hatching building volume and depth. Light seems to sculpt the figures, accentuating the folds of drapery and the contours of their bodies. This meticulous attention to form aligns with the Renaissance emphasis on anatomical accuracy and idealized beauty, but the energetic lines lend a certain dynamism. The drawing’s sepia tones contribute to a contemplative mood, inviting viewers to reflect on the spiritual content and artistic skill evident in this work. The cross, a potent symbol, adds layers of meaning to the scene, prompting consideration of sacrifice, redemption, and faith.