Rest on the Flight into Egypt c. 18th century

Editor: This is Jean-Jacques Lagrenée's "Rest on the Flight into Egypt," a drawing at the Harvard Art Museums. It's so detailed for a drawing, almost like a tapestry. What can you tell us about it? Curator: Look at the sepia wash, mimicking tapestry dyes. It suggests a shift towards mass production, adapting the elite art form for broader consumption. The labor involved in producing such detail, even in a drawing, speaks to artistic production as a form of craft. Editor: So, you're saying even in a preparatory sketch, the *idea* of reproduction is present? Curator: Absolutely. It challenges the preciousness of unique artworks, hinting at a world where art becomes more accessible, more material, and less about the singular genius. Does that change your perception of the piece? Editor: Definitely. I see it now as less reverent and more about the potential for art to reach a wider audience. Thanks.