Virgin and Child Appearing in a Glory of Angels to Saint Peter and Saint Paul 1551 - 1640

Jacopo Chimenti, also known as Jacopo da Empoli, created this drawing, Virgin and Child Appearing in a Glory of Angels to Saint Peter and Saint Paul, using pen and brown ink, sometime between 1551 and 1640. This work exemplifies the religious art that flourished in Italy, deeply interwoven with the social fabric of the time. The Virgin Mary, holding the infant Jesus, appears amidst a host of angels, while Saint Peter and Saint Paul kneel below, figures of foundational importance to the Catholic Church. Made in Florence, the drawing reflects the pervasive influence of the Catholic Church, which profoundly shaped cultural norms, political structures, and artistic patronage. The emphasis on religious subjects served to reinforce the Church's teachings and moral authority. For art historians, understanding this piece requires looking into the religious, political, and institutional contexts of 16th and 17th century Italy. It highlights how artistic expression was inseparable from the dominant social institutions of the period.