Pope Gregory the Great and Saint Vitale Interceding for the Souls in Purgatory c. 1734

Sebastiano Ricci created this drawing of Pope Gregory the Great and Saint Vitale interceding for the souls in purgatory in the late 17th or early 18th century. It embodies a vision of divine intervention within a hierarchical cosmos. The drawing's cultural context lies in the Counter-Reformation’s emphasis on the veneration of saints and the doctrine of purgatory, issues rejected by Protestants. Ricci, as a Venetian artist, was working within a society deeply shaped by the Catholic Church and its institutions. The composition, with its dynamic movement and dramatic contrast between the suffering souls and the heavenly figures, serves as a visual argument for the necessity of intercession and the power of the Church. Understanding this work requires delving into religious history, theological debates, and the social role of art in reinforcing religious beliefs. By consulting historical texts and scholarly analyses, we can better grasp the complex interplay between art, religion, and society in Ricci’s time.