The Visitation of Our Lady (Luke 1:39-56)(recto); Zachariah (verso) 1681 - 1767

Giacomo Zoboli rendered this drawing, "The Visitation of Our Lady," with red chalk. At its heart, we see Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, a meeting pregnant with anticipation. The motif of the Visitation, seen here, captures more than just a greeting; it's a physical manifestation of divine promise. Consider the recurring gesture of greeting or embrace, a timeless symbol found in various epochs. The figures reaching out resonate with similar images across time and cultures. Think of the Roman handshake, signifying peace and alliance, or the clasped hands in funerary art, representing farewell and remembrance. These are the echoes that ripple through art history, each iteration imbuing the gesture with layers of meaning, informed by collective experiences. In Zoboli's sketch, the Visitation becomes a powerful vessel of emotional energy, engaging us at a primal level. It is a testament to the human spirit's enduring capacity to invest simple interactions with profound significance. As it resurfaces in art across centuries, the motif continues its cyclical journey, ever evolving.