Liefde (Charitas) 1515 - 1566

Editor: This pen drawing is called "Liefde (Charitas)" by Lambert Lombard, created sometime between 1515 and 1566. There are so many figures here! The technique seems meticulous and yet dynamic. What jumps out at you when you see this piece? Curator: For me, it's the process, the means of production. Think about the labor involved in creating this detailed pen and ink sketch, this "pen work". Lombard clearly considered the *making* of this piece, from the quality of the ink to the choice of paper, and of course, the sheer manual effort in rendering such detail. It speaks to a deliberate act of craftsmanship, doesn't it? Editor: It does. I hadn’t thought about it like that. It’s easy to just see the overall image. What do you make of his choice to depict this allegory of Love using pen and ink? What does that contribute, compared to, say, an oil painting on canvas? Curator: Exactly! That's the critical question. Pen and ink were generally more accessible and readily available than the tools needed for oil painting, which served a different, usually wealthier patronage. Consider what the original purpose might have been. Was this sketch for practice, for study, or for circulation as a printed reproduction? This artwork highlights Lombard's skill as a draughtsman and underscores how dissemination of art played an active role in 16th century material culture. Editor: That's fascinating. The means by which art was distributed... how people experienced art could’ve depended greatly on its materiality. It really changes how I understand the piece. Curator: It also complicates traditional distinctions. Is it "high art," or something else? Examining the material underpinnings invites you to ask these challenging questions. Editor: This conversation has opened my eyes to aspects of art I haven't previously considered. I see that the way a piece is made, the materials used, and even the artist’s hand, matter greatly. Thanks!