Sketches of Figures of the Virgin Kneeling, Saint Peter Standing, Seated Allegorical Figures of Faith and Charity, and Child Standing on a Corbel (?) (recto); Sketches of Figures of Saint Sebastian Standing and the Virgin and Child with Angels (verso) 1487 - 1488

Francesco di Simone Ferrucci rendered these sketches with pen and brown ink in the 15th century. Notice the Virgin Mary kneeling, her hands clasped in prayer. This posture, echoing across centuries, speaks volumes. In ancient Roman art, kneeling signified supplication before deities or emperors. Christianity adopted it to convey humility and devotion before God. The pose transcends mere religious observance; it’s a deep-seated expression of human vulnerability. The keys held by Saint Peter link to those found in ancient portrayals of Janus, the Roman god of doorways and beginnings. Similarly, the Madonna's pose is not confined to Christian art. In Buddhist iconography, similar gestures are found, representing enlightenment, a symbolic link to transcending earthly concerns. These sketches are not mere studies, but echoes of a cultural memory, a testament to our enduring psychological need to express humility, reverence, and the quest for transcendence.