Offering (_) 

Carlo Maratti made this drawing called "Offering" using chalk, likely sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. It is made on blue paper, a relatively inexpensive material, that would have been readily available to an artist like Maratti. The drawing is made up of thin strokes, with a kind of breathy, soft application of the chalk. You can see how Maratti has layered the chalk to create depth and volume, especially in the figures’ drapery. There are figures of angels and humans who are offering something to what seems to be a holy being. Though we may think of drawing as a preliminary activity, it was central to artistic production at this time. Drawings like this would have allowed artists to explore compositions and practice their technique. The apparent ease and grace of the drawing reflects Maratti’s mastery of his materials and his deep understanding of the human form. This drawing reminds us of the importance of process and skill in the creation of art, and how even the simplest materials can be used to create works of great beauty and expression.