The Risen Christ Appearing to Souls in Purgatory 1782

Charles Nicolas Cochin II created this drawing, "The Risen Christ Appearing to Souls in Purgatory," with pen and brown ink in 1782. Cochin, who served as the secretary of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, operated within a rigid hierarchy of genres, and his work was often intended for reproduction and dissemination. This piece depicts Christ in the clouds, offering salvation to souls in purgatory; it reflects the period's complex relationship with faith, salvation, and divine intervention. Cochin’s figures are idealized, embodying a sense of grace. Yet, the emotional intensity is palpable, as figures reach out with longing. The representation of souls seeking redemption speaks to universal human experiences of guilt, hope, and the search for meaning, during a time of social and political unrest. This image invites reflection on the power of faith, the possibility of redemption, and the emotional dimensions of spiritual belief.