Christ appointing Saint Roch as patron saint of plague victims 

This painting by the Flemish Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens depicts the moment Christ appoints Saint Roch as the patron saint of plague victims. Saint Roch, a pilgrim, is shown kneeling while Christ, surrounded by light and angels, touches his shoulder in blessing. The scene is set against a backdrop of plague-stricken individuals, their suffering and desperation serving as a powerful contrast to the divine intervention. Rubens’ masterful use of light and shadow, along with the dramatic composition, emphasizes the gravity of the event and the importance of faith in the face of hardship.