Saint John Preaching in the Wilderness c. 18th century

Editor: This is Stefano Mulinari’s "Saint John Preaching in the Wilderness." It's a beautiful sepia drawing. All the figures seem so captivated, yet the setting appears desolate. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The wilderness itself is a powerful symbol. It represents a space outside of societal norms, where spiritual transformation can occur. What emotions does that evoke in you? Editor: It's like a place of raw honesty, far from civilization. Curator: Exactly. Mulinari captures John the Baptist not just as a preacher, but as a figure embodying that disruptive, transformative power. Notice the faces of the crowd—they are a study in human reaction. Editor: I see a lot more now. I hadn't considered the wilderness as a psychological space. Curator: Art opens doors to different ways of understanding.