Adoration of the shepherds 

Editor: Here we have Hans von Aachen's "Adoration of the Shepherds," a pen and pencil sketch rendered in ink on paper. The delicate lines create a feeling of reverence. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Well, looking at this drawing from a materialist perspective, it becomes interesting to consider the relationship between labor and depiction. How does von Aachen’s choice of humble materials—pencil and ink on paper—influence our understanding of this significant religious event? Was this sketch produced as preparation for a larger, more elaborate painting intended for elite patrons and audiences? Editor: So the very accessibility of the materials used affects how we receive the message? Curator: Precisely! Think about the process itself. Drawing allows for immediacy, a direct connection between the artist's hand and the subject. Ink and paper were relatively accessible materials at the time, pointing perhaps to a broader dissemination of religious imagery beyond the wealthy elite. Who would have had access to such a drawing, and how might it have been used? Consider also the cost of the paper versus the value attached to religious iconography. Editor: That's a side I hadn't considered! Looking closely, the figures are not idealized. Does that relate to the materials too? Curator: Exactly! The sketch lacks the refinement we might see in a finished painting commissioned by the church. The artist focused on raw emotion. The modest means underscores that humility, aligning with the story's themes and values: how the social context dictated those humble depictions. Editor: I now see how closely linked the materials are to both the making of art and how society values different forms and subject matters. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure! Seeing the means of production in art always reveals unseen dimensions of the historical period in which the artwork was produced.