Study for the Pentecost c. 1580

This preparatory drawing, "Study for the Pentecost", created by Simone Peterzano around 1580, showcases the artist’s skill in capturing the human form and composition. The drawing, housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, is a study for a larger painting, depicting the biblical event of Pentecost. Peterzano, a young artist who died at the age of 23, employed the use of brown ink on paper, creating a detailed composition of figures arranged around a central figure radiating a beam of light. The depiction of the Holy Spirit descending, illuminating the figures, is a key theme in this piece. The study’s focus on form and light anticipates the artist’s eventual creation of the larger work, showcasing Peterzano’s talent and promise.