The Virgin Immaculate with the Christ Child in Glory (recto); Rinaldo and Armida (verso) 1654 - 1714

Giuseppe Passeri rendered "The Virgin Immaculate with the Christ Child in Glory" using pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk. The composition rises with the Virgin and Child at its center, encircled by cherubic figures amidst clouds, creating a celestial vortex. Passeri employs dynamic lines and tonal variations to distinguish the figures, setting them against the ethereal background. The contrast between the detailed foreground and the softer, sketchier rendering of the cherubs gives depth, while the Virgin’s serene expression and the Child’s gesture imbue the scene with a sense of divine calm and intimate connection. Passeri’s technique reflects the Baroque era’s interest in evoking emotional and spiritual responses through dramatic composition and dynamic movement. It challenges the viewer to consider the interplay between the earthly and the divine, rendered through a sophisticated manipulation of form and space. This piece invites an ongoing dialogue about faith, representation, and the artist's ability to convey complex theological ideas through visual means.