Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew, after Mattia Preti 1769 - 1779

François André Vincent made this wash drawing, "Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew, after Mattia Preti," sometime around 1776. It depicts the flaying of St. Bartholomew, a graphic scene that invites reflection on the public role of art. Drawn in France, this work comes from a period when the art academy held significant power, shaping artistic production and taste. Vincent, a product of this system, won the Prix de Rome, indicating his adherence to academic standards. It's intriguing to see him engaging with a subject as brutal as martyrdom. Does this choice reflect a self-conscious conservatism, adhering to established religious themes, or is there a progressive element in confronting viewers with such a visceral scene? To fully understand this work, we might delve into the archives of the French Academy, exploring the institution’s influence on artists like Vincent, and to better understand the politics of imagery in 18th-century France. Ultimately, art's meaning is contingent on its social and institutional context.