Blue and Green Shell with Dragon's Head n.d.

Giuseppe Grisoni made this design for a shell with a dragon's head, likely in the first half of the 18th century, using watercolor and graphite. At first glance, the work seems like a simple sketch. However, the ways in which Grisoni has used watercolor washes and graphite lines invite us to consider the significance of these materials, and the artistic tradition with which they’re associated. The subtle gradations of color imply a precious object, while the graphic lines would have been used by a silversmith. Notice how the play of light and shadow creates a heightened sense of realism. This conveys the quality and value of the final piece, which, as a luxury item, would have involved a whole chain of production, from the extraction of raw materials to the highly skilled labor of shaping them. By focusing on the materiality and making of this shell, we see the layers of artistry and labor embedded in its design, challenging the traditional boundaries between art, craft, and commerce.