Maria Immakulata über der Schlange auf der Mondsichel und der Weltkugel stehend, von drei Jesuitenheiligen verehrt 

Curator: Here we have a fascinating drawing, titled "Maria Immakulata über der Schlange auf der Mondsichel und der Weltkugel stehend, von drei Jesuitenheiligen verehrt," which roughly translates to "Maria Immakulata standing above the serpent on the crescent moon and globe, venerated by three Jesuit saints" by Tommaso Bona. It is located here in the Städel Museum. Editor: It’s all rather pale, isn't it? The figures emerge like specters from the aged paper. There's a quiet intensity, a devoted aspiration rising from the earthbound saints to the serene Madonna. Curator: Precisely! The medium – a blend of ink, watercolor, gouache, and chalk on paper – contributes to that ethereal quality. Consider how this drawing embodies Baroque ideals and served perhaps as preparatory work. Editor: Oh, preparatory, certainly. You can feel the artist thinking through the composition; even the grid showing. But tell me, what exactly is Maria Immakulata doing standing on that snake atop the world? Curator: She is presented as the Immaculate Conception, triumphant over sin – symbolized by the serpent – and reigning over the world. It’s a common Catholic allegory and powerful iconography, enhanced by the veneration of these Jesuit saints. Bona uses dramatic gestures and dynamic composition to convey intense devotion and the influence of the Jesuit order. Editor: Yes, I suppose there’s a whole cosmic drama squeezed into that modest sheet. Makes you think about power, doesn't it? Both heavenly and earthly power projected through imagery. I’m especially struck by the ambiguity of it, though. Is it awe? Is it fear? A bit of both, perhaps. Curator: An excellent point! It perfectly captures the period’s negotiation of faith and earthly influence, where awe and the power dynamic are intrinsically linked. Consider how the depiction could promote piety as much as it subtly reinforces institutional might. The composition draws you into its world of spiritual and hierarchical tension. Editor: That’s it, isn't it? This little sketch is really an artifact of immense ambition. The layering of the allegory is quite moving once you reflect on it. Curator: It's certainly an artwork that invites deep thought and emotional reaction beyond the surface narrative, making it a poignant piece of history.