Study for Ex-voto Picture 1597 - 1646

Editor: This is Ludovico Lana's "Study for Ex-voto Picture," made sometime between 1597 and 1646, using pen and ink. The ethereal figures hovering above a landscape create a compelling scene. What stands out to you? Curator: Considering its creation was likely within a specific workshop setting, I'm interested in the labor involved in this seemingly preliminary drawing. The visible pen strokes and the iterative nature of a 'study' suggest a collaborative process. Was Lana perhaps directing apprentices or other artists in realizing a larger, possibly more lavish, ex-voto painting? The material economy surrounding religious art during this period is quite fascinating. Editor: So, you’re saying it’s less about the spiritual message and more about how it was actually made and by whom? Curator: Precisely. Consider the patronage system. Who commissioned this piece, and what was the socio-economic status of the individuals represented in the lower portion of the drawing? The very act of commissioning such a work signifies an investment – a material transaction interwoven with faith. Also, look at the angel’s drapery; a real concern for its visual presence using light and shadow. This might show knowledge of different fabric treatments in a real-world atelier, and it reminds us that even idealized forms take on earthly characteristics because of the materials used. Editor: That’s a really interesting way to see it. I usually focus on the symbolism, but now I'm curious about the paper itself – where it was sourced, the type of ink. Did these materials carry a certain status, contributing to the overall message of the ex-voto? Curator: Exactly! The materiality speaks volumes. It moves our focus to the concrete aspects of art making – labor, consumption, and the exchange of resources – opening avenues for understanding the cultural and historical forces at play. Editor: Thanks! Thinking about the work this way shifts my perspective on Renaissance art quite significantly.