Twee schetsen van het vinden van Mozes c. 1719 - 1769

Editor: Here we have Francesco Fontebasso’s "Two Sketches of the Finding of Moses," from the 18th century. It's rendered in pencil on paper, currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. It almost feels like I'm looking at the raw energy behind a finished piece, or a glimpse into the artist’s process. What strikes you about this sketch? Curator: What interests me immediately is the materiality of it: pencil, paper, and the artist's hand. Look closely. These aren't precious materials, they're the tools of production. Fontebasso wasn't creating some sacred object, but rather engaging in a form of labor. How does that influence our interpretation? Editor: Well, seeing it as labor almost democratizes the artwork. We’re not just admiring the "genius" of the artist, but appreciating the skill and effort that went into visualizing this scene. It also emphasizes that art is a product, even in its earliest stages. Curator: Exactly. And consider the social context. These were preparatory sketches, destined for another project – maybe a painting or a tapestry. It prompts questions about the division of labor within art production, and who the intended consumer of this "product" might be. Did Fontebasso mass-produce similar works? Who consumed these sketches and why? Editor: That’s a great point. I was initially focused on the composition, the movement he captured with such simple lines. But thinking about it as a commodity... it shifts the focus. The viewer then becomes a consumer or a client. Curator: Precisely. What appear as casual marks actually speak to the system of art-making at the time. We often overlook that the materiality and process embedded in a sketch like this also hold significant insights into a broader network of patronage and production. Editor: This perspective makes me rethink how I approach even the simplest drawing. It's not just about the image, it's about the means of its creation and the culture surrounding it. Curator: And that connection enriches our understanding, by bringing art back to its context of material and labor.