The Madonna and Child in Glory Adored by Saints before 1613

Giovanni Battista Paggi rendered "The Madonna and Child in Glory Adored by Saints" with pen and brown ink in the late 16th or early 17th century. At this time, the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority through art amid the Protestant Reformation. Paggi's sketch presents a vision of maternal divinity. The Madonna is depicted enthroned amidst clouds, cradling the infant Christ. Below, saints, both male and female, direct their gaze upward in adoration. The figures embody the ideals of piety and devotion central to Catholic doctrine. Paggi uses traditional representations, but also develops alternative narratives through a depiction of communal worship and spiritual ecstasy. The drawing serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the central role of the Virgin Mary in Catholic theology. As Paggi once stated, "Art should serve as a mirror reflecting the divine light." Here, that sentiment manifests in the intimate rendering of religious fervor, inviting viewers into a space of reverence and contemplation.