St Sebastian 1500 - 1536

Editor: This drawing is "St Sebastian," created between 1500 and 1536 by Polidoro da Caravaggio, rendered in charcoal. I find the hatching marks mesmerizing. What do you find interesting about this piece? Curator: Well, look closely at the materiality. Charcoal is such a basic material, right? Burned wood. Yet here, in Caravaggio's hands, it’s elevated. This drawing provides insight into the means of art production in the Renaissance, challenging this high art versus craft idea. Do you notice how much labor went into creating the lines and figure with just a simple charred stick? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way! So you are less concerned with the traditional narrative and more about the labor involved? Curator: Exactly! Think about where the charcoal came from. The burning of wood. The trees felled. The social context of artmaking includes who provided the materials and who had the luxury to turn these materials into images. We often ignore such realities. How does focusing on these material elements impact our understanding of Renaissance art? Editor: That gives me a totally different perspective on the Renaissance and their art. Thank you! Curator: Indeed! Considering art through its materiality and production unveils social stories unseen with more traditional perspectives. I’m glad you're finding new meaning in old art.