Death of Saint Joseph 1550 - 1750

This is an anonymous drawing titled "Death of Saint Joseph." Executed with red chalk, the artwork employs a visual language of softly modeled forms and gentle tonal gradations. The composition is divided into two registers: the earthly scene of Joseph on his deathbed and a heavenly gathering of angels above. The formal structure of the drawing hinges on the contrast between the grounded, horizontal orientation of the lower scene and the swirling, vertical dynamics of the upper register. This juxtaposition invites us to consider how earthly and divine realms intersect. The figures are rendered with a delicate touch, using line and shading to convey volume and emotion. We see Joseph surrounded by mourners, their faces etched with grief, while above, angels descend to escort his soul to paradise. The use of red chalk lends the artwork a warm, luminous quality, enhancing the emotional resonance of the scene. The drawing offers a space for contemplating themes of mortality, faith, and divine intervention.