Staande Christus als Man van Smarten 1739 - 1804

Curator: Here we have Pietro Antonio Novelli’s “Standing Christ as the Man of Sorrows," likely created sometime between 1739 and 1804. The artwork, housed here at the Rijksmuseum, is a compelling drawing. Editor: It strikes me immediately as raw. The toned paper and light pencil work lend a sense of immediacy, like a fleeting thought captured in charcoal. Curator: The piece certainly conveys a sense of transience and is indeed rendered using pencil and charcoal on toned paper. There’s a vulnerability present that’s so palpable; it resonates with a tenderness rarely afforded. I imagine Novelli exploring this depiction, quietly finding ways to humanize such a lofty figure. Editor: Exactly! Considering the material constraints, the stark contrast of the light pencil work against the toned paper demands attention. The cost and availability of art supplies, not to mention time constraints, are crucial aspects here. How does that influence Novelli’s final product? Curator: Ah, yes! Those constraints also foster incredible ingenuity. See the intentional rough edges, the deliberate imperfections. The artist is laying bare the creative process. One can almost feel the movement in his hand, can’t you? Editor: Precisely. It allows us to delve deeper into Novelli's environment. This artwork is, after all, a product of material availability and workshop practice, of master and apprentice traditions. Curator: That gives me something to think about… the drawing then almost acts like a historical artifact to be investigated… I’m quite taken by it again! Editor: It certainly reveals its social dimensions with each looking-over.