The Vision of Saint Benedict 1740

Francesco de Mura made this drawing, “The Vision of Saint Benedict,” with pen and gray ink and gray wash over graphite. It depicts Saint Benedict receiving a divine vision, surrounded by followers and celestial beings. Drawn in 18th-century Italy, this work reflects the Catholic Church's significant influence on artistic production. Religious institutions commissioned art to promote their doctrines, and artists like de Mura often worked under their patronage. The depiction of Saint Benedict, a key figure in monasticism, underscores the importance of religious orders in Italian society. De Mura’s emphasis on the saint’s vision connects with the period’s focus on spiritual experiences and the divine. The drawing may have been a study for a larger altarpiece or fresco, demonstrating the institutional processes behind creating public art. As historians, we delve into archives and religious texts to understand the social context, and by doing so, reveal how art both reflected and reinforced the cultural values of its time.