Descent of the Holy Spirit c. 1526

Parmigianino rendered this drawing, "Descent of the Holy Spirit", with pen and brown ink, presenting a scene brimming with spiritual energy. The dove, a timeless symbol of the Holy Spirit, descends from above, its wings outstretched as it showers divine grace upon the gathering. Note how the figures raise their hands in awe. This is a gesture echoing the ancient "ad locutio" pose, wherein figures of authority address crowds. The open hand and raised arm have symbolized communication and divine authority since antiquity, resurfacing in Roman oratory and early Christian art. The motif channels not just religious ecstasy but also collective memory, a subconscious echo of power and revelation. This recalls images of emperors addressing their legions, now transformed into a moment of spiritual communion. It is a visual echo, resonating with the collective unconscious, reminding us that the sacred and the secular are eternally intertwined.