Pope Pius IX Imparting the Blessing Urbi et Orbi 1847

This pencil drawing by François-Léon Benouville, created in 1847, depicts Pope Pius IX delivering the Urbi et Orbi blessing. The Pope stands on a balcony, his hand raised in a gesture of benediction, while two attendants hold a canopy and a cross behind him. The composition emphasizes the Pope's presence, making him the central focus. Benouville's meticulous details highlight the Pope's regalia and the grandeur of the setting, creating a sense of religious authority and power. The drawing, now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York, offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the 19th century and the importance of religious figures in society.