Sketches for Christ hovering in the air, horsemen, a seated couple and a flower ornament 1548 - 1628

This is a pen and brown ink sketch by Jacopo Palma, the younger, who lived in Venice during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It contains studies for a number of different figures and motifs including Christ, horsemen and floral ornaments. The prevalence of religious imagery in Venice at this time speaks to the important role the Catholic Church played in the city’s cultural and political life. Palma was commissioned to create paintings for a number of Venetian churches and chapels, so it is possible that these sketches were preparatory studies for a larger religious artwork. The presence of the horsemen may allude to the importance of Venice as a military power. The Venetian Republic was known for its strong navy and its ability to defend its trade routes and territories. Understanding this drawing requires that we examine the wider context of Venetian society and culture in the early modern period, looking to sources such as historical documents and religious texts. In this way, we can better understand the ideas and values that shaped its creation.