Cortile del Belvedere, Upper Courtyard, stair, plan (recto) blank (verso) 1500 - 1560

Curator: Here we have a drawing from between 1500 and 1560, an architectural plan for the upper courtyard stairs of the Cortile del Belvedere. It's rendered in ink on paper, currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: My immediate reaction is the careful restraint. It feels more like a coded message than an exuberant declaration of architectural prowess. Curator: The visible process speaks volumes. Look at the quality of the paper itself, probably handmade, and how the ink bleeds slightly, betraying the absorbency of the material. It makes you think about the hands that crafted both the paper and the drawing. Editor: Absolutely. Considering the era, these aren’t just lines on paper; they represent power dynamics. The Vatican’s influence was paramount. This plan represents not just aesthetic aspiration, but also a clear display of that era's social and political control. How did the design impact labor practices and access? Curator: Good point. I'm curious about the repetitive marks; it's a study of pattern. How did the construction laborers, and the consumers of the built architecture feel about working with stone and building such patterns, were there any tensions regarding craft? Editor: I am certain there were issues involving class, status, and artistic expression at every level of this building’s production. Consider the patron, likely someone connected to the Church, dictating tastes and standards; that affected the labor and creative input on this project. We see here a beautiful plan but it tells a partial story if divorced from these realities. Curator: So true. Even now, considering art historical interpretations through modern critical theory is an evolving process. Thank you for offering your perspective, It definitely enhances our comprehension. Editor: Thank you, each perspective matters. This drawing holds significance on so many different levels, artistically and politically; I hope this sheds light on new conversations we can begin.