The Rest on the Flight into Egypt 1762 - 1844

Editor: This ink and tempera drawing is “The Rest on the Flight into Egypt” by Giuseppe Bernardino Bison, dating from 1762 to 1844. It's so gestural and light. It's more of an idea of a scene than a finished depiction. What story can you find in the material of the drawing itself? Curator: I see the frantic energy of the artist, mapping out the composition with layered strokes of ink. Note how the relatively inexpensive materials – ink and tempera on paper – made religious imagery accessible. Did this accessibility democratize art consumption? Who had access to these works? Was this preparatory work for something larger? Editor: That's a great point. How would you relate the materials used to the story depicted? Curator: Think about the socio-economic implications of using cheaper materials to depict a story of refuge. The Holy Family's flight can be seen as a flight from socioeconomic instability. In this light, Bison’s choice of accessible material resonates with the plight of those depicted. It brings an element of commonality between maker, subject, and perhaps even the owner. What do you think? Editor: I see what you mean. The raw, almost hurried quality of the ink work mirrors the urgency and precarity of their journey. It's a fascinating interplay between material limitations and narrative depth. This makes me think about the relationship between commerce and religious iconography in that era. Curator: Precisely! And isn't it intriguing how the value we assign to art often overshadows the tangible means of its production and distribution? Editor: Definitely! Examining the "how" as much as the "what" gives us a richer, more grounded understanding of the artwork and its place in society.