Studies of Cows' Heads and Legs 1817

Editor: This is Jean Louis de Marne’s "Studies of Cows' Heads and Legs." It's undated, but the artist lived from 1744 to 1829. It feels like a page torn from a sketchbook, an intimate study of animal anatomy. What can you tell me about the material context of this piece? Curator: Consider the paper itself – its manufacture, its availability. Was it a luxury item, or readily accessible? The artist’s access to such materials tells us about their social standing and the function of these drawings. Were they studies for a larger work, or ends in themselves? Editor: So, understanding the paper helps us understand the artist's world? Curator: Exactly. The cost and availability of materials speak volumes about artistic production during de Marne's time. Editor: That’s a really different way of thinking about art than I’m used to. Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about art through the lens of its production process can reveal hidden dimensions.