Marteling van een heilige 1656 - 1660

Mattia Preti made this drawing of the "Martyrdom of a Saint" with graphite on paper. The artist's hand is evident in the directness and intensity of the marks, each one contributing to the dramatic scene. Notice how the graphite is applied in varying degrees of pressure, creating areas of deep shadow and delicate highlights. Preti used the innate qualities of graphite to render the textures of skin, fabric, and the instruments of torture. Drawings such as this one can be considered a form of labor, both intellectual and physical. Preti would have needed to study anatomy, and to develop skillful control of the graphite medium. The drawing embodies an economy of means, where a simple material is made to convey complex ideas about faith and suffering. By considering the physical process and materials, we gain a richer understanding of the drawing, and of the artist's social and cultural context.