A Saint Healing the Sick (recto); Upper Body of Nude Male with Outstretched Arms, seen from the rear (verso) 1600 - 1700

This is an anonymous drawing, "A Saint Healing the Sick," made with pen and brown ink. It's a scene teeming with bodies in various states of distress and hope, set against the backdrop of classical architecture. Consider the historical context: the Church’s role in caring for the sick and the disabled, particularly in times when medical knowledge was limited. The drawing emphasizes an intersection of faith, healing, and social welfare. The artist captures the emotional intensity of the moment: a saint’s touch as a symbol of hope for the marginalized. Are they poor, or simply desperate? What gender are they? Are some of them children? The drawing raises complex questions about who receives care and who is excluded, who has access to healing and who is left to suffer. It prompts us to reflect on our own beliefs about health, healing, and social responsibility. What do we owe each other, especially in times of crisis? It’s a reminder that issues of healthcare, access, and social inequality are deeply rooted in our history, continuing to shape our present.