Christ and Mary Interceding with God the Father c. 1485

Editor: Here we have an anonymous drawing, "Christ and Mary Interceding with God the Father," created around 1485 using ink. It’s incredibly detailed. What strikes me is the layering and text integrated into the artwork; how do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, considering its materiality, the choice of ink and the linear style point to the readily available materials of the period, primarily driven by scriptoria practices, while also emphasizing the economic context influencing artistic production. It is also a good exercise to think about consumption. What were the conditions and locations for such drawings to circulate at that time? Editor: That's interesting! I hadn't considered how much the availability of materials influenced the artist's choices. So, are you saying the drawing medium directly informed the artwork's style? Curator: Absolutely. And more than style. The use of ink signifies more than artistic choice; it signifies access, skills, workshops... Considering the context of the piece and that it could be a preliminary drawing to a much more elaborated and expensive artistic artifact or a study for other productions of similar iconography. The nature of its production reflects its role. Editor: So, examining the drawing's production allows us to consider its position in a broader network of artisanal practices? Curator: Precisely. The drawing speaks to the society that generated both the materials and the need for it. The integration of text emphasizes literacy, and the figuration echoes prevalent spiritual beliefs of that same society, all tied to labor conditions that make creation possible. Editor: It’s like uncovering a social history etched in ink. This focus has illuminated so many social layers of the artwork. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Understanding the materials and the means of their production reveals so much more than aesthetic qualities.