Studies voor een Madonna met een heilige monnik 1639

This 1639 preparatory drawing by the Italian Baroque painter Massimo Stanzione shows figures sketched in loose, flowing lines. The composition features a Madonna with a child in her arms and a holy monk, likely a Saint. This drawing, part of the preparatory process for a larger painting, demonstrates Stanzione's masterful command of draftsmanship and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with minimal detail. The study, a crucial stage in the creation of a finished artwork, reveals the artist's thought process and provides a glimpse into the genesis of a grander composition.