Holy family 

Curator: Here we have Bartolomeo Schedoni’s “Holy Family,” a compelling work currently housed in the Städel Museum. Executed in chalk, charcoal and ink, the drawing provides an intimate glimpse into this archetypal scene. What are your initial impressions? Editor: Mmm, muted...ethereal. It feels less like a solid representation and more like a memory emerging from the sepia tones of time. Almost dreamlike. Curator: That resonates beautifully with the inherent symbolism, wouldn't you say? The gentle use of line, the soft gradations of shade – it elevates the mundane domesticity of family life into something transcendent. And the Holy Family… It's not just a religious image. The theme speaks of universal concepts of love and security and lineage, which, given the tumultuous period when this was produced, could have been a refuge for the viewer. Editor: Exactly. Notice the careful gestures - the gentle touch of Mary, Joseph's concerned watchfulness – there is that incredible sense of love. I imagine they provided a much-needed icon for a population beset with anxieties, both civic and religious. I find it fascinating that, although produced with such skill, the tones soften everything in a way, avoiding crisp edges and clean division. This also promotes the dreamlike quality in the viewer, almost forcing one to participate with one’s emotions, rather than with precise understanding. Curator: The materials support your points about time and accessibility, too. These drawing media lend themselves to nuance. And Schedoni allows the subtle chalk dust and fading lines to define and express the feeling that makes his drawing so timeless. Editor: A time capsule. A small wonder to be appreciated for many years. Thank you. Curator: Indeed, and a privilege to examine together.