Madonna med barnet, efter værk i Uffizierne 1791

This drawing of the Madonna and Child was made in Florence in 1791, by Catharina Bugamelli. Its medium is graphite on paper, humble materials for such an exalted subject. The original drawing on which this work is based would have been a highly-prized painting, likely commissioned by a wealthy patron. Bugamelli’s version, in contrast, is a more intimate, and more accessible object. Consider the labor involved in creating this drawing. Each line carefully placed, each shadow meticulously rendered, yet on a scale that suggests personal devotion, not grand public display. The use of graphite, a readily available material, and paper, makes it a portable and reproducible image. This contrast invites us to consider the changing role of art in society, as traditional forms of patronage gave way to new modes of production and consumption. Bugamelli’s drawing is not just a copy, but a reimagining of a masterpiece, using modest means to create something meaningful.