Saint Francis Refuses The Priesthood, A Bozzetto 

Francesco Solimena created this oil on canvas sketch, or "bozzetto", sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Oil paint allowed Solimena to build up layers of color and texture, creating a luminous effect, especially noticeable in the depiction of the divine light. Notice how the brushstrokes are loose and expressive, capturing the energy of the scene. This directness and the artist's visible hand are key characteristics of a sketch. The canvas itself is a humble material, but its capacity to be transformed through skilled labor elevates it. Solimena’s bravura technique speaks to the value placed on artistic skill in his time, a form of specialized craft. The act of painting was a commercial transaction, deeply embedded in the social and economic structures of the time, with the final painting destined for a church or private collection. Considering the materials and the making helps us appreciate the rich cultural context embedded in this sketch, blurring the lines between craft, commerce, and fine art.