The Crucifixion with Saints Roch and Augustine 

Filippo Bellini rendered "The Crucifixion with Saints Roch and Augustine" in pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk. The drawing is dominated by a monumental cross that vertically divides the composition. The suffering Christ hovers above, surrounded by angels in swirling clouds, creating a celestial space. Below, Saints Roch and Augustine kneel on either side, their forms anchoring the earthly realm. The linear quality of the drawing is striking. Bellini uses line to define form, create depth, and convey emotion. Notice how the lines vary in thickness, adding a sense of dynamism to the scene. The cross, a structural element, operates as a visual signifier laden with meaning, its stark verticality contrasting with the soft curves of the clouds and figures. The drawing's structure is not just about aesthetics; it reflects broader religious and philosophical concerns, prompting us to contemplate themes of sacrifice, redemption, and divine intervention. What does the interplay between these levels suggest about the relationship between the earthly and the divine?