Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Julian the Hospitaler, Saint Roch, and Saint Mary Magdalen? 1522 - 1523

This drawing, "Virgin and Child Enthroned," was created in the 1500s by Perino del Vaga, using pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper. The technique immediately gives us some insight into the artistic hierarchies of the time. Drawings like this were often considered preparatory work, not the main event. They were a means to an end, a step towards a grander painting or fresco, which were considered more serious artistic statements. This sheet seems to be just that: a tool for planning out a complex composition. Yet, look closely at the quality of line, the control of the washes, the careful build-up of tone. You can see that Perino del Vaga took tremendous care with this drawing, even if he saw it as provisional. The physicality of the drawing has a direct impact on our experience. It shows the direct connection between the artist's hand, mind, and the image itself. Appreciating the skill and labor that went into this drawing encourages us to question the rigid categories of art and craft that have shaped our understanding of art history.