Ecclesia Surrounded by Angels Holding the Instruments of the Passion
1613
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1613
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Ecclesia Surrounded by Angels Holding the Instruments of the Passion is a 1613 chalk by Bernardo Strozzi, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a central woman holding a small lantern, seated on a rocky base. Around her, a crowd of winged figures—some kneeling, some reaching upward—fill the scene. The lines are scratchy and layered, with shadows built up from tiny marks. The woman’s calm pose contrasts with the swirling motion of the angels above, who seem to float or struggle. The lantern she holds is a quiet detail—its light might symbolize something steady in the chaos. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with repeated lines like these.
