Saint John Nepomuk Praying 1720 - 1759

Georg Anton Urlaub made this delicate pen and wash drawing of Saint John Nepomuk Praying in the mid-18th century. The saint, a figure of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, kneels in devotion. Above him, angels gather, a celestial vision reinforcing his piety. This image reflects the cultural and religious climate of the Holy Roman Empire, modern day Germany, where the Catholic Church sought to reassert its influence. The choice of Saint John Nepomuk, martyred for refusing to break the seal of confession, underscores the Church's emphasis on its sacraments and authority. Urlaub, working within this context, likely intended the drawing to inspire similar devotion. Note how he includes an area with a crucifix and a landscape view, indicating a worldly message of keeping faith within the larger society. To fully understand this work, we might consult Church records, theological texts, and art historical scholarship on the period. By examining the social and institutional forces at play, we can better appreciate the nuances of its meaning.