The Ecstacy of the Blessed Giacinta Marescotti

Art Historical Context

In the hallowed tradition of 17th-century Roman art, Giuseppe Passeri's *The Ecstasy of the Blessed Giacinta Maresotti* captures a moment of divine rapture. Giacinta Marescotti1585–1640), an Italian mystic and Franciscan tertiary revered for her visions and penances, is depicted in spiritual transcendence, surrounded by symbolic elements like angels, a cross, skulls, and ethereal female figures. Created during Passeri's active years (1654–1714), this drawing reflects the intense religious fervor of the Counter-Reformation era, where artists vividly portrayed saints' ecstasies to inspire devotion. Executed in pen and brown ink with brush and brown/red wash over red chalk, heightened with white gouache, the work exemplifies Baroque preparatory techniques. These mixed media allowed Passeri to achieve dramatic chiaroscuro—deep shadows contrasting luminous highlights—modeling forms with lifelike volume on a modest sheet measuring 12 11/16 x 8 15/16 inches. Such drawings were vital studies for paintings or frescoes, showcasing the artist's mastery in conveying motion and emotion. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via the Harry G. Sperling Fund in 1992), this piece offers a window into Baroque spirituality, blending human vulnerability with celestial glory. Visitors will appreciate its intricate details, evoking the mystical intensity that defined sacred art of the time.