De heilige Aloysius van Gonzaga in gebed 1713 - 1757

Giuseppe Antonio Pianca made this drawing of Saint Aloysius of Gonzaga in the 18th century, with chalk on paper. The quickly sketched lines give this study a sense of immediacy, as though we’re looking over the artist’s shoulder as he works out his ideas. The softness of the chalk lends itself to the subtle shading of the Saint’s robes, but also to a certain ambiguity. The marks are suggestive rather than definitive, and the artist has left much to our imagination. It’s interesting to consider the labor that goes into producing these drawings. While chalk is a relatively inexpensive and accessible material, the skill required to use it effectively takes years to develop. In this context, drawing served as a crucial step in the production process that underpinned the artist’s practice, not to mention any larger commissions. The drawing allows us insight into the artist's methods and choices, inviting us to appreciate the labor and skill involved in bringing a work of art into being.