Saint Cecilia (or Music) c. 1836

Editor: This drawing, "Saint Cecilia" by Pierre-Jean David d'Angers, captures the saint amidst flowing drapery. The quick lines give it a sense of movement. How do you interpret the use of materials in this piece? Curator: The rapid execution suggests a preliminary sketch. I'm interested in the paper itself - its source, production, and cost. Was it readily available, or a luxury? Its materiality speaks to the artist's process and the accessibility of artmaking. Editor: That’s a perspective I hadn’t considered. So, you see the value in the materials as reflecting the socio-economic context? Curator: Precisely! It reframes how we understand artistic creation, focusing less on divine inspiration and more on the tangible realities of production and consumption. Editor: That is great! Thank you for sharing. Curator: A pleasure. It is important to always consider the material circumstances that birthed it.