Study of a Seated Model Wearing a Bishop's Chasuble and Mitre c. 18th century

Joseph Marie Vien made this drawing with graphite on paper, depicting a seated model in a bishop's garb. Vien was a pivotal figure in the shift from Rococo to Neoclassical styles in France. The drawing provides insight into the artistic practices and the social context of 18th-century France, a time of shifting cultural and political landscapes, where the Catholic Church still held considerable sway. The choice of attire is significant. It reflects the patronage system where artists often relied on the church and aristocracy. Was Vien simply practicing, or perhaps making a subtle comment on the social structures of his time? The drawing shows institutional power, but may also critique it. Understanding such a work requires looking at the artist's biography, and broader socio-political context. These resources enrich our understanding and meaning of art as something contingent on its social setting.