Figures in a Storm 

Alessandro Magnasco created “Figures in a Storm” using pen and brown ink wash over graphite. Born in Genoa, Magnasco painted during a time when Italy was experiencing political and economic decline. Magnasco's paintings often focus on the lives of marginalized figures, exploring themes of poverty, religion, and social inequality. He often depicted scenes of monks, soldiers, and vagabonds, rendered with an expressive style that emphasizes the emotional and physical hardships of their lives. This drawing captures a sense of vulnerability, with figures tossed about by a storm, struggling to maintain their footing. The dramatic, almost theatrical quality of the scene evokes the emotional turmoil and instability that many people experienced during this period. Magnasco invites us to reflect on the plight of those most vulnerable in society. There's an undeniable emotional resonance, that calls us to consider the human impact of natural disasters, and the importance of empathy.