Altarriss (Oberteil) mit Marienkrönung 

This design for an altarpiece, showing the Coronation of the Virgin, was made by Georg Andreas Fischer, probably in the late 18th century. It is made with humble materials: pencil, perhaps silverpoint, with watercolor washes. What’s most compelling is the way these modest materials mimic the grandeur of the finished design. Note how Fischer has convincingly rendered the weight and texture of the scene, with the Virgin Mary ascending to heaven amid swirling clouds and cherubic figures. The artist’s hand imbues the work with a sense of movement and life. The gilded finish appears throughout, a decorative touch that would have required a very high degree of skill. By considering the labor and artistry involved in creating the final altarpiece, we gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance and artistic traditions that elevate the status of design into the realm of fine art.