The widow's penny 

Nicolas Poussin rendered this ink drawing, "The Widow's Penny", sometime between 1648 and 1649, in Rome. Poussin's oeuvre often embodies the intellectual and philosophical climate of the 17th century, reflecting his interest in classical antiquity and stoicism. In this scene, a poor widow donates her last coins to the temple. Poussin uses the biblical story to comment on social inequality. The widow, likely disenfranchised by both her gender and class, stands in contrast to the privileged onlookers. Poussin seems to be emphasizing that true generosity comes not from material wealth, but from moral conviction. Interestingly, Poussin’s choice to depict this particular subject also reflects the evolving role of women in religious and social discourse during the period. He emphasizes the importance of women's contributions to society, thus encouraging viewers to reconsider prevailing attitudes towards gender roles.