The death of Saint Alexis Falconieri at Monte Senario 1548 - 1612

Bernardino Poccetti rendered this drawing, "The Death of Saint Alexis Falconieri at Monte Senario," with pen and brown wash. Notice Saint Alexis's serene repose as he is being cared for by his fellow brothers of the Servite Order. The scene is filled with gestures of mourning and reverence, echoing those found in countless depictions of death throughout history, from ancient Roman funerary reliefs to Renaissance paintings of the Lamentation. The hooded monks echo other religious orders throughout art history. Consider the figure kneeling with clasped hands, head bowed in prayer. This posture is a timeless symbol of piety and supplication, appearing in different cultures across the ages. Its roots can be traced to ancient rituals. This gesture conveys a powerful sense of grief and devotion, tapping into our collective memory of loss. These motifs, passed down through artistic traditions, evoke powerful emotions and connect us to the universal human experiences of faith, death, and remembrance.