The Madonna and Child appearing to two male saints during an outbreak of plague 1600 - 1700

This drawing, The Madonna and Child appearing to two male saints during an outbreak of plague, was made by an anonymous artist using pen and brown ink, with brown wash over black chalk. The use of readily available materials like ink and chalk, rather than costly paints or precious metals, suggests this work was intended for study or dissemination. The relatively quick and efficient technique allowed for a fluid, expressive rendering of the scene. The fluid lines and tonal variations created with the brown wash give the drawing a dynamic quality. Consider the context of plague outbreaks in the past. Images like this were often created to inspire hope and faith during times of crisis. The relatively inexpensive materials and techniques allowed for wider production of the artwork to reach a wider audience. Thinking about how this artwork was made helps us understand its role in society. It challenges the traditional hierarchy between high art and more accessible forms of visual culture.