Saint Remi (lower register; study for wall paintings in the Chapel of Saint Remi, Sainte-Clotilde, Paris, 1858) 1830 - 1875

In this drawing made around 1858, Isidore Pils sketches Saint Remi as a study for a wall painting in Paris. Pils, who won the Prix de Rome, straddled academic tradition and the burgeoning Realist movement. Note how Saint Remi’s upward gaze invites the viewer to seek the divine, in keeping with the period’s religious sentiment. Yet there's a tangible, human quality to the saint’s posture, making him accessible. The sketch captures a tension between spiritual devotion and earthly presence. How does this representation challenge or uphold conventional portrayals of saints? Consider Pils's historical context: France in the mid-19th century was experiencing rapid social changes, and religious art often played a role in reaffirming traditional values. This drawing, with its realistic yet idealized figure, reflects the complexities of faith. Does this image evoke faith for you or an appreciation for human form and the aesthetic of the sketch?