Saint Philip Benizi Converting Two Wicked Women at the City of Todi 1608 - 1609

Editor: Here we have Bernardino Poccetti's charcoal drawing on paper, "Saint Philip Benizi Converting Two Wicked Women at the City of Todi," created around 1608 or 1609. I find the overall composition quite intriguing, with the arched structure guiding my eye, yet there's also something unsettling in the figures' expressions. What symbolic interpretations do you glean from this work? Curator: This drawing brims with the symbolism of conversion and redemption. Notice the stark contrast between the figures on the periphery, their forms dissolving into shadow, versus the clear, almost radiant depiction of Saint Philip and the women. What might that suggest about societal perceptions of morality and transformation at the time? Editor: Perhaps that those outside the religious experience were less distinct in the artist's mind. The Saint seems very present, very detailed. Curator: Exactly. Saint Philip stands as a beacon. Look closely at his gesture towards the women – an offering of grace, or perhaps an invitation to leave a certain way of living and integrate in his? And what about their postures? Do they suggest resistance or acceptance? Editor: There is a hesitancy, maybe. Their hands are open, receptive, but their bodies are slightly turned away. Curator: The turning away isn't denial. The postures are a struggle for these figures. Remember, visual rhetoric during the Baroque was intentional, aiming to evoke specific emotional and intellectual responses in the viewer. Do you think Poccetti was successful here? Editor: I do. Now that you've highlighted these aspects, the figures’ internal conflicts and their path to something more are clearly rendered, despite the drawing’s tonal simplicity. Curator: It becomes a potent visual symbol, not just of a singular event, but of the human potential for change and spiritual renewal. Editor: Thank you. Looking more closely reveals just how dynamic an image can be when understood through the historical context of symbols.