Marteling van de Heilige Erasmus 1649

This pen and ink drawing, *Marteling van de Heilige Erasmus*, by Italian Baroque artist Pier Francesco Mola, depicts a scene of torture. The drawing is a preliminary sketch for a larger composition, and its loose, gestural lines convey the artist’s initial ideas about the subject. A figure in the foreground is being tormented by another figure with a sharp instrument. The scene is rendered with considerable detail, showcasing Mola’s masterful understanding of anatomy and movement. This study is part of the Rijksmuseum collection.