Allegorical Figure c. 18th century

Curator: This drawing, "Allegorical Figure," is by Pietro Antonio Novelli. Look at the use of line! Editor: It feels very immediate, sketched almost as a passing thought. The figure, though, seems lost in reflection. Curator: Novelli was working in a time of massive social change. The figure is presented without luxury, perhaps suggesting the impact on the working class. Editor: The starkness of the ink on paper emphasizes form and light; the artist’s hand evident in every stroke. It's a directness that pulls you in. Curator: Novelli's artistic labor mirrors the labor he may have been commenting on, making the work itself a product of its environment. Editor: The contrast between the finished portions and the open, gestural lines creates a powerful visual tension. There is a sense of incompleteness that speaks volumes. Curator: Absolutely. It allows us to consider how social upheaval shapes the very material of art. Editor: Yes, the material speaks to the symbolic.