Sketch of the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence Giovanni Battista Pittoni (1687-1767)

The drawing presents a scene of intense suffering and execution, rendered in a monochromatic palette that emphasizes dramatic contrast and emotional weight. Here we see a central figure, presumably the victim, reclining on a makeshift platform or table, his body partially exposed and vulnerable. He appears to be enduring considerable pain, his head tilted upwards with an expression suggesting both agony and perhaps resignation.
Around him are several figures engaged in the act of torture and execution. One individual is actively wielding a tool – likely intended for inflicting harm – while others observe or participate in the proceedings. Their postures and facial expressions convey a range of emotions, from detached indifference to active cruelty. The artist has used varying degrees of shading to delineate their forms and suggest depth within the composition.
Above the scene, a large conflagration dominates the upper portion of the drawing. Flames rise dramatically, creating an atmosphere of chaos and destruction. Partially obscured by the smoke and fire is what appears to be a sculpted or painted relief depicting a human face – possibly a representation of a deity or imperial figure – further contextualizing the event within a framework of power and authority.
The composition is framed by a roughly arched top edge, which draws attention upwards towards the flames and the obscured relief. This framing device creates a sense of enclosure, intensifying the feeling of confinement and inescapable doom experienced by the central figure. The artist’s use of loose, expressive lines contributes to the overall dynamism of the scene, conveying a sense of immediacy and raw emotion.
Subtly, the drawing explores themes of power, suffering, faith, and persecution. The contrast between the victims vulnerability and the perpetrators apparent authority suggests an imbalance of forces. The presence of the sculpted face above hints at a larger political or religious context that justifies – or at least rationalizes – the act of violence depicted below. The drawing’s monochromatic nature focuses attention on the emotional impact of the scene, stripping away any potential distractions from the core narrative of suffering and sacrifice.