Two Figures of Evangelists Writing 1695 - 1705

Editor: This drawing, "Two Figures of Evangelists Writing," dates from between 1695 and 1705 and is attributed to Pedro Duque Cornejo. It's a pencil drawing on paper, currently held at The Met. I’m immediately struck by how immediate and almost unfinished it feels, yet the figures have so much weight. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, my dear editor, this isn't just a drawing; it’s a whisper from the Baroque, a backstage pass to Cornejo’s creative process! I sense the theatricality so characteristic of the Baroque. The light and shadow, though subtle in pencil, hint at the drama these evangelists might have felt, grappling with divine inspiration. Editor: That makes sense. It's almost like they're caught mid-performance. Curator: Precisely! Notice the dynamism in their poses. They aren’t simply sitting; they are engaged, alive, practically vibrating with the effort of capturing something momentous. This isn’t a portrait of calm reflection, but of fervent creation. Have you ever felt that sense of urgency when trying to capture a fleeting idea? Editor: I think so! Sometimes the words just rush out of you. Do you think he intended this to be a finished work? Curator: Maybe, maybe not! To me, this drawing has an incredible energy. The beauty is in its imperfections and incompleteness. Editor: It does give it a very raw feel. It's definitely made me appreciate sketches more. Curator: Absolutely, Sometimes the real magic is in the glimpses, in the half-formed thoughts taking shape. Don’t you think? Editor: Yes, I agree! Thanks for the insights!