Two Women Annointing the Wounds of Saint Sebastian (recto); Study of a Nude Male Figure (verso) 1585 - 1644

Giovanni Biliverti rendered this drawing, "Two Women Annointing the Wounds of Saint Sebastian," using pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk. The composition is strikingly organized by a grid. This deliberate structure emphasizes the figures of Saint Sebastian and the women attending him, set against a detailed landscape. Biliverti's lines carefully define forms, creating a sense of depth and emotional solemnity through the figures' expressions and gestures. The use of light and shadow, achieved through varied washes, enhances the drama, focusing our attention on the act of anointing. The grid itself becomes a sign, suggesting a calculated approach to portraying religious suffering and devotion, a common theme in Baroque art. Yet, it could also undermine established values by questioning the boundaries of artistic composition and emotional expression. Note the meticulous detail and structural underpinnings, elements that invite ongoing exploration and challenge static interpretations of artistic intent.