Schets voor plafondschildering c. 1705 - 1754

Editor: Here we have Jacob de Wit's "Schets voor plafondschildering", a sketch for a ceiling painting, made sometime between 1705 and 1754 using pen and ink on paper. It looks like a flurry of figures floating amongst clouds. What stands out to you in terms of its creation and context? Curator: I'm immediately drawn to the labor involved in this seemingly ephemeral sketch. We see the artist meticulously mapping out a complex composition. Consider the social context: de Wit, likely working on commission, is engaging in the craft of translating powerful narratives—likely allegorical—into visual form, a skill in high demand in his time. This isn't just 'art'; it’s a service, tied to patronage and the economics of Baroque society. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't considered the service aspect so directly. Do you think the medium - ink on paper - says anything about the process itself? Curator: Absolutely. The relative inexpensiveness of ink and paper allowed for experimentation, for the artist to iterate and refine his ideas. These materials are integral to accessing de Wit's work as process. Ink, easily transportable, points towards his studio and perhaps various locations the sketch would have followed him. Where did de Wit source the materials? How might those inform our understanding? Editor: So, by looking closely at the 'how' and 'what' of its creation, we can learn not just about the art but also the artist's role within his society. It definitely changes how I see it, thank you. Curator: Exactly! We shift our focus to production, distribution, and consumption. That's how material concerns and their effect are raised, rather than seeing only a pretty sketch. Editor: I’ll be paying more attention to materiality in future artworks from now on.