Studie voor de monnik Placidus die uit het water wordt gered c. 1655 - 1656

Nicolas de Plattemontagne rendered this drawing, Studie voor de monnik Placidus die uit het water wordt gered, in brown chalk. The drawing captures the monk Placidus, eyes raised toward the heavens, hands clasped in prayer, moments after being saved from drowning. Plattemontagne’s mastery lies in the dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Observe how the chalk delicately models the monk’s face, imbuing it with a sense of urgent supplication. The fabric of his habit cascades around him in turbulent folds, creating a visual metaphor for the chaotic waters from which he has been rescued. The texture achieved through hatching and cross-hatching gives a tactile quality to the monk’s garments and a tangible sense of the dramatic moment. Through the formal elements, the drawing transcends a mere depiction of rescue. Instead, it becomes a profound meditation on faith, salvation, and the human condition, inviting us to contemplate the deeper meanings embedded within its lines and forms.