The Departure of Saint Paula and Saint Eustochium for the Holy Land

Art Historical Context

This evocative drawing by Giuseppe Bottani portrays the fourth-century departure of Saint Paula and her daughter Saint Eustochium for the Holy Land, a pivotal moment in early Christian history when the noble Roman women left behind their privileged lives to follow Saint Jerome on a pilgrimage of faith. in 1740, scene captures themes of, sacrifice, and spiritual that resonated strongly in 18th-century religious art. Bottani rendered the composition in red chalk, a medium favored for its warm, velvety tones and capacity to suggest both delicate flesh and flowing drapery. The sheet is squared in...