Ecstasy of St. Margaret of Cortona 1701

Giuseppe Maria Crespi's "Ecstasy of St. Margaret of Cortona" is a 1701 Baroque masterpiece depicting the mystic experience of the titular Saint. The dramatic composition shows Saint Margaret, bathed in divine light, being lifted skyward by angels, her body contorted in rapture. Below, a group of figures witness this miraculous event, their expressions ranging from awe to fear. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that contrasts light and dark, adds intensity to the scene, highlighting the spiritual and physical transformation of the saint. This painting, housed in the Diocesan Museum of Cortona, Italy, remains a powerful testament to the fervor and drama of the Baroque period.