Man with Raised Arm; Man with Leg Bent, for "Angel of Wrath" 1829 - 1833

Editor: This drawing, "Man with Raised Arm; Man with Leg Bent, for 'Angel of Wrath'," by Washington Allston, is striking. The figures are rendered with such physicality. What stands out to you about the materiality and making of this work? Curator: Look closely at the charcoal strokes, how they define form and volume. Consider the economics of artistic production at the time. Was charcoal readily available? Was this a cost-effective method for Allston, influencing his artistic choices and process? Editor: That's fascinating, I hadn't thought about the economic side of artistic choices. Curator: These choices reflect a negotiation between artistic vision and the material conditions of production, a dialogue that shaped art history. Editor: I see it now. Examining the "how" as well as the "why" gives us a new perspective.