Drawing

Art Historical Context

Gioacchino Martorana, an Italian artist, created this undated drawing, now housed in the Smithsonian American Art as part of the Smithsonian Collection. Gifted by collector John Gellatly, exemplifies the museum's commitment to preserving diverse works on paper. As a drawing, it highlights the intimate, preparatory nature of this medium—often used by artists for studies, sketches, or devotional images—allowing for fluid lines and expressive gestures that capture spiritual intensity. The composition features a figure group centered around religious motifs: a cross, a bishop, an angel, and a mar...