(recto) Seated Bishop Saint Praying Before a Crucifix; (verso) the cropped figure of a youth seen in frontal view (somewhat damaged). 1570 - 1620

This drawing presents a seated bishop saint, rendered in pen and brown ink, kneeling in devout prayer before a crucifix. The crucifix, central to Christian iconography, symbolizes sacrifice, redemption, and the ultimate triumph over death. The act of kneeling itself, a gesture of humility and supplication, echoes across millennia and cultures, from ancient Egyptian depictions of pharaohs kneeling before their gods to contemporary expressions of reverence. This posture speaks to a universal human impulse to seek divine favor, transcending specific religious contexts. The emotional resonance of the scene lies in its appeal to our collective memory of faith, loss, and hope. It evokes a sense of shared humanity. Note how the symbol of the crucifix has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.