Madonna mit Kind in Wolken, von Engeln umgeben 

Curator: Here we see a compelling drawing titled "Madonna mit Kind in Wolken, von Engeln umgeben," which roughly translates to "Madonna and Child in Clouds, Surrounded by Angels," attributed to Leonardo Corona. It resides here at the Städel Museum. Editor: It's immediately striking – this gentle flurry of figures rendered in what seems like brown ink, pencil, gouache and charcoal on paper. The overall impression is airy, light, but with a palpable sense of underlying structure. Curator: I'm particularly interested in the way Corona employs various media. The blend of ink, pencil and gouache alongside charcoal likely provided different levels of texture and tonal range to delineate form, almost sculptural in its dedication to detail. It reflects workshop practices where these material choices influence visual depth. How does the symbolism strike you? Editor: The most potent visual symbol here is the cloud, or the heavens, which carry layers of theological meanings, reflecting divinity and ascension. Mary and Jesus elevated, the infant Jesus reaching – his gestures echo the soul's desire for God, mirroring long traditions where art serves as a devotional object. But tell me, does the density of figures suggest anything beyond the typical iconography of Madonna paintings? Curator: I think so. Given the multitude of angels, we can consider its relationship to commission and the patron’s social aspirations. An image teeming with figures often suggested wealth, the artist's meticulous labour mirroring societal values of abundance. Furthermore, examining the use of pencil versus ink could speak to the divisions of labour within Corona's workshop itself. Editor: That's compelling. The very materiality, the paper and the pigments, become infused with the economics of its creation. Ultimately, though, for me, this artwork taps into something fundamental about human hope – it paints the desire for safety and connection with the divine. Curator: And to look beyond the surface and the historical symbolism – you’ve provided a perspective on how societal forces and material circumstances mold what art eventually conveys. It really deepens how we view and ultimately value pieces like this.