Hall of Saints, Borgia Apartment, Vatican Palace, Rome, Italy c. 20th century

Editor: This drawing, "Hall of Saints, Borgia Apartment, Vatican Palace, Rome, Italy" by Kenneth John Conant, appears to be a graphite study. It feels quite technical. What can we learn about it? Curator: Consider the labor embedded in this drawing. Graphite, as a material, connects this study to broader economic networks. How does this preparatory sketch relate to the final execution and consumption of art within the Vatican's sphere of influence? Editor: So, it’s not just about the saints, but about the materials and the process? Curator: Precisely. By analyzing the materiality, we reveal the connections between artistic creation, papal power, and the very means of artistic production. Editor: That gives me a new perspective on the artwork. Curator: Indeed, it moves our attention to the world around the work.