Kneeling friar with outstretched hands 1589 - 1654

This is a drawing of a kneeling friar with outstretched hands by Fra Semplice da Verona. The piece is made with chalk on grey paper. The overall impression is one of humility and supplication, achieved through the friar's posture and the somber tones of the chalk. Verona's strategic use of chiaroscuro creates a dramatic contrast between light and shadow, which heightens the emotional intensity of the scene. The friar's face and hands are illuminated, drawing our attention to his expression of devotion. The composition emphasizes the verticality of the figure, reinforcing the sense of upward reaching and spiritual yearning. The roughness of the chalk medium adds a tactile quality to the drawing. The use of line and shading serves not only to depict the physical form, but also to convey a deeper sense of inner reflection and piety. The artwork invites us to consider the relationship between the material and the spiritual.