Portal in Ancona, mit einer Stigmatisierung des Heiligen Franziskus im Tympanon 17 - 1828

Friedrich Maximilian Hessemer created this drawing of the Portal in Ancona with a stigmatization of Saint Francis in the tympanum. Notice how the entire composition is dominated by vertical lines, creating a sense of soaring height. The artist used a light pencil to capture the intricate details of the gothic architecture. The drawing captures the façade of the portal, focusing on its elaborate sculptural decoration. Hessemer's choice to depict the stigmatization of Saint Francis highlights a key theme of spiritual devotion. However, the work does not only depict literal architectural accuracy, but engages with a semiotic system, a cultural code. The very act of sketching, a form of translation, invites us to question the original meaning and explore the portal's cultural significance. The stark contrast between the meticulously detailed portal and the blank space surrounding it emphasizes the architectural form. It's an invitation to look beyond the surface and ponder the deeper philosophical implications embedded within the structure.