Penitence 1654 - 1714

"Penitence," a pen and wash drawing by Italian artist Giuseppe Passeri (1654-1714), depicts a scene of religious devotion. The drawing shows two figures, a woman standing and a man kneeling, both in an architectural setting. The woman, possibly an angel, holds a branch, a symbol of forgiveness. The man's posture suggests repentance, his gaze directed upwards towards the sky. The drawing, housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, is a powerful example of Passeri's skill in capturing the expressive qualities of the human form, emphasizing themes of faith and salvation common in Baroque art.