Virgin and Child in Glory Worshipped by Two Monk Saints n.d.

Bernardo Strozzi rendered "Virgin and Child in Glory Worshipped by Two Monk Saints" with pen and brown ink, accented with brown wash, over traces of black chalk. Strozzi lived in a time of religious reform and upheaval; his personal choice to leave monastic life to support his family reflects the tensions between religious devotion and worldly responsibilities. In this drawing, Strozzi adheres to traditional religious iconography, yet there's a palpable human element in the monks' devotion and the tender interaction between Mary and the Christ Child. The monks, kneeling in reverence, embody the humility and piety expected of them, while Mary, elevated in glory, represents divine motherhood, a powerful image in a patriarchal society. The intimate portrayal of the Virgin and Child also provides a more accessible vision of the divine. Ultimately, Strozzi's drawing invites us to consider the complex interplay between religious expectation, personal experience, and artistic expression.