Unidentified subject: Standing Figure Placing a Scapular (?) on a Kneeling Figure 1579 - 1665

Astolfo Petrazzi’s drawing presents us with a scene steeped in religious symbolism, rendered with delicate strokes of ink. The central act of a figure bestowing what appears to be a scapular onto a kneeling recipient speaks of devotion and divine favor. The motif of kneeling, ubiquitous across cultures, signifies submission and reverence. We see it echoed in ancient Egyptian depictions of pharaohs before their gods, or in Buddhist art where devotees prostrate themselves in prayer. The gesture transcends mere physical posture, resonating with a deep-seated human desire for connection with the divine. Like other ritualistic gestures, the act of bestowing, the scapular echoes the iconography of coronation, yet translated into a spiritual context. This symbolic act engages our collective memory, triggering subconscious associations with rituals of purification and spiritual transformation. It is not merely an image but a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Such images persist, evolve, and resurface across time, bearing witness to humanity's enduring quest for meaning and salvation.