Saint Benedict at the School in Rome 1625 - 1635

Andrea Lilli sketched "Saint Benedict at the School in Rome" using pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk. The radiant star above Saint Benedict is no mere celestial body, but a beacon of divine knowledge. It is an ancient symbol of enlightenment and guidance, reminiscent of the Star of Bethlehem, which led the Magi to the infant Christ. Consider the pointed finger of Saint Benedict: a gesture seen across epochs, from classical oratory to Renaissance art. This act of pointing is not just a physical gesture but a transmission of authority and wisdom. It is a visual echo of Hermes Trismegistus, or even John the Baptist, each pointing as conduits of divine will. The emotional impact of the image is subtle yet profound. The figures, caught in moments of contemplation and instruction, evoke a sense of quiet intensity. This resonates with our deep, subconscious longing for understanding and spiritual connection. The past is never truly dead; it is not even past. The symbolic language of art ensures its continuous, evolving presence.