Die Übergabe der Dekretalen c. 1511

This pen-and-ink drawing by Raphael, titled "Die Übergabe der Dekretalen" (The Delivery of the Decretals), depicts a pivotal moment in the history of the Church. The drawing, dated c. 1511, showcases the artist's masterful handling of line and detail as it portrays a group of figures gathered around a man reading a book, likely the Decretals, a collection of papal decrees. Raphael's signature "Raphael Urbinas" is inscribed in the lower right corner, a testament to the artist's prominence during the High Renaissance. This drawing, now housed in the Städel Museum, is a testament to Raphael's profound understanding of human anatomy and his skill in conveying dramatic narratives through line.