Saint Joseph Holding a Plane c. 19th century

Editor: This is Pierre-Nicolas Brisset’s drawing, "Saint Joseph Holding a Plane." It's a pencil sketch, seemingly a preliminary study. I'm struck by its simplicity and the clear grid lines, which almost feels like a mathematical equation underpinning the saint's form. What do you see in it? Curator: Oh, the grid is key, isn't it? It reveals the artist's process, his deliberate construction of form. And Joseph, the carpenter, cradling not wood, but a tool – a plane, perhaps? It's a tender portrayal of labor and quiet strength. What stories do you think those hands could tell? Editor: That's beautiful, the quiet strength. I initially saw just a sketch, but now I see purpose and dedication in those lines. Curator: Exactly! It's not just a drawing; it’s a whisper of humanity etched onto paper, inviting us to contemplate the sacred in the everyday.