Kopf eines Fauns in Untersicht 

Curator: Here we have a red chalk drawing, "Head of a Faun, Seen from Below" attributed to Correggio and housed at the Städel Museum. Editor: There's an unsettling beauty here, something almost grotesque. The upward perspective is quite odd. Curator: Indeed, the unusual angle distorts our perception of the figure, emphasizing the musculature and planes of the face. Consider the medium itself; red chalk lends a warmth and fleshiness that charcoal or ink might not achieve. Editor: I'm drawn to the artist's hand and draftsmanship—the clear manipulation of materials used, you know, frottage, the pressure of the red chalk on the paper creating tone and texture. I want to understand more about the paper making processes and quality of materials used during the Renaissance that allowed the artist to create these types of sketches. I want to see the cultural impact and value of labor to bring the image to life. It speaks to the societal value put on art during the 16th century. Curator: You bring up an interesting point on artistic labour. We can think about the choice of the faun too—a creature associated with primal urges and nature— as representative of a society in contrast of nature versus rational human intellect. And the upturned gaze maybe suggests an ascension and triumph of enlightenment principles. Editor: It also could suggest that Renaissance viewers and markets may not have considered “mere sketches” suitable for display given how carefully curated galleries and markets dictate hierarchies within the system. Curator: Certainly, it compels one to imagine the social world, where mythological figures intertwined within the cultural production. The Renaissance interpretation could be a comment of those blurred lines. Editor: Reflecting on this artwork I see new opportunities and spaces to contemplate about the relationship with materialism as a lens of examining labour, production, and display. Curator: I agree it's worth it to understand how the medium and composition can bring forward many layers of interpretation.