Death of Saint Benedict

Jacques Callot

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a religious scene with figures gathered beneath a heavenly vision. The scene depicts several figures, some seated and some standing, gazing upwards towards a group of angelic or saintly figures seated on clouds in a celestial realm. The composition includes an arch that frames the upper part of the image, where the divine or heavenly figures are shown amidst radiating beams of light. Beneath, on the earthly plane, additional figures, including those in clerical attire, are engaged in a religious ceremony or gathering. The drawing showcases flowing robes, varied textures, and the interaction between the earthly and the divine realms through expressive gestures and gazes.