Colma Discovering the Dead Bodies of Salgar and her Brother 1809

Bartolomeo Pinelli's "Colma Discovering the Dead Bodies of Salgar and her Brother" (1809) is a dramatic depiction of a woman discovering the lifeless bodies of her loved ones. Created in pen and wash, the work captures the emotional impact of the event through the woman's expressive pose and the somber tones of the landscape. The moonlight casting long shadows adds to the somber atmosphere. This drawing illustrates Pinelli's ability to capture the pathos of a moment, a hallmark of his work in the Neoclassical style. The drawing's intimate scale also contributes to the sense of personal tragedy.