Heilige Cecilia geeft haar goederen aan de armen 1684 - 1728

Francois de Poilly created this engraving, "Heilige Cecilia geeft haar goederen aan de armen," its monochrome palette emphasizes the stark contrast between the giver and the receivers. The engraving is structured around a strong horizontal division, the upper tier features Cecilia and her attendants, elevated both physically and morally as they distribute goods. Below, the recipients embody a chaotic scene of grasping and need. Poilly uses a semiotic language of gestures: raised hands, imploring eyes, and contorted bodies signify desperation. This organization isn't just about aesthetics; it speaks to the social hierarchies and power dynamics of the time. The receding architecture in the background destabilizes any fixed perspective, suggesting perhaps that the act of charity is less about spatial reality and more about a symbolic restructuring of social space. Through line and form, Poilly creates a discourse on wealth, poverty, and salvation, reflecting the era’s grappling with socioeconomic disparities and spiritual redemption.