Penitent Woman Anointing the Feet of Christ at the Table of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50) 1511 - 1551

This drawing by Biagio Pupini, created between 1511 and 1551, depicts a biblical scene from Luke 7:36-50. The drawing focuses on the moment when a woman, perhaps a prostitute, anoints Christ's feet at a dinner hosted by Simon the Pharisee. The scene is rendered in a simple, linear style, with the figures shown in a semi-realistic manner. The drawing captures the moment of the woman's act of devotion, highlighting the contrast between the formal, posed figures of the Pharisees and the humility of the woman. The drawing is a study for a larger painting, which was likely intended for a religious commission. This type of drawing, a preparatory study for a larger painting, is a testament to the rigorous artistic process employed by artists in the Renaissance.