Allegory of the Immaculate Conception 

Giovanni Battista Gaulli made this drawing, "Allegory of the Immaculate Conception," using pen and brown ink with gray wash over black chalk. The linear quality of the drawing allows us to see the gridded structure underneath the image, revealing its early stages of planning. This grid is a fascinating, if often hidden, aspect of much art from this period. While the finished painting would hide the labor and math involved, here it’s laid bare. The composition and application of wash imbues the sketch with an ethereal, dreamlike quality, while the figures and textures are softly delineated. Gaulli was clearly a skilled draughtsman, and this drawing would have been a study for a larger painting. The rapid and confident lines suggest a mastery of technique developed through years of practice. It's important to remember the sheer effort involved in acquiring these skills. Ultimately, considering the materials, making, and the social context is crucial to fully appreciate Gaulli’s work, and to move beyond traditional boundaries separating art and craft.