Martyrdom of a saint 

This drawing, Martyrdom of a Saint, was made by Gaspare Diziani, probably in Venice, using pen and ink and wash on paper. The immediacy of the washes and the artist’s hand is readily apparent, but its social context is less obvious. Diziani’s quick and fluid marks were not made from life but composed in the studio. In contrast to the brutal act of execution, the materiality is delicate. The sepia tones and transparent washes give this piece an ethereal feeling. But don’t be fooled. This drawing represents real labor. Diziani and his workshop would make drawings like this in large quantities for the art market. They were exercises in his skills as a painter, but also objects of commerce that sustained his studio. By appreciating the labor involved in the artistic process, we expand traditional art history, challenging the distinctions between high art and craft.