Two Draped Female Figures; Rest on the Flight into Egypt [verso] 

Angelo Marullo made this pen and brown ink with brown wash drawing in the late 17th century. During this time, depictions of women were often idealized, confined to roles as either virtuous mothers or allegorical figures. Marullo's study of draped female figures presents an intriguing duality. On one side, we see the iconic biblical scene, "Rest on the Flight into Egypt," with Mary as the Madonna. Yet, the individual studies on the other side offer an alternative narrative. They present women as figures of strength and contemplation, draped but not overtly sexualized, their expressions hinting at inner lives beyond conventional roles. While the composition aligns with religious artistic traditions, the emotional depth and nuanced portrayal of the women begin to move beyond those limitations. It's a delicate balance between the expected and the subtly subversive. Through his sensitive depiction of these figures, Marullo invites us to consider the complexities inherent in representing women during this era, as both symbols and individuals.