Design for a Tabernacle Surmounted by Christ on the Cross and Praying Figures (the Virgin and Saint John?) 1512 - 1572

Here we see Galeazzo Alessi’s pen and brown ink drawing, "Design for a Tabernacle Surmounted by Christ on the Cross and Praying Figures," created during the Italian Renaissance, a period marked by artistic innovation, religious reform, and social change. This drawing offers insight into the performative aspects of religious devotion, a key component of cultural identity in sixteenth-century Italy. The tabernacle, with Christ on the cross, stands as a somber reminder of sacrifice. It invites contemplation of the divine and our place within the cosmos. The praying figures, possibly the Virgin Mary and Saint John, embody the virtues of compassion and piety. Alessi's design, never physically constructed, suggests a space for dramatic religious ritual that maintains traditional representations. This creates a powerful emotional experience, reinforcing the communal and personal ties to faith. It shows us how much identity is wrapped up with the sacred.