Saint Francis and an Angel with a Viola da Braccio (The Ecstasy of Saint Francis) 1600 - 1700

This anonymous 17th-century red chalk drawing depicts a moment of intense religious devotion. The figure of Saint Francis, a prominent figure in Catholic faith, appears entranced, his gaze directed upwards as an angel serenades him with a viola da braccio, a Renaissance string instrument. The drawing, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, provides a glimpse into the artist's study of human anatomy and expression, evident in the graceful lines and the subtle nuances of the saint's posture.