Der Heilige Sebastian von einer Märtyrergruppe umgeben c. 1600

This study of Saint Sebastian, surrounded by martyrs, was created by Ventura Salimbeni using lead and charcoal on paper. The strokes are tentative, exploratory. The quickly rendered lines of the composition show the artist's hand at work; this wasn't a highly valued commodity that required perfection, but the artist’s practice and labour were considered essential to the creative process. This kind of drawing was utilitarian in its original context. The artist had the skilled tradition and knowledge of drawing, and the paper and charcoal were relatively affordable materials, which allowed for greater access to art making. The artist would have considered the weight of the line that charcoal can achieve and its erasability. It's a reminder that art is not just about the finished product, but also about the materials and labor that go into its making, and the social contexts that enable that process.