Left Hand, for "Belshazzar's Feast" c. 1821

Editor: So, this is Washington Allston's "Left Hand, for 'Belshazzar's Feast.'" It's an undated charcoal drawing. I’m struck by the materiality, the texture of the paper, and the very deliberate strokes used to render the hand. What can you tell me about Allston's process here? Curator: The focus on this preparatory sketch highlights the artist's labor, making it central to the final work. Consider the economic value placed on finished paintings versus these studies. Is Allston’s hand, evident in the charcoal strokes, less valuable than the hand he depicts? How does the process of artistic creation become a commodity itself? Editor: That's a new way to look at it. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, the means of production shapes our understanding of art and its value.