Flying Angel 1553 - 1626

This drawing of a Flying Angel was created by Pomarancio, or Cristoforo Roncalli, in the 16th or 17th century, using red chalk on paper. We can see that the artist used traditional art materials, but also engaged in the craft of draughtsmanship. Looking closely, you can see how the material of the red chalk lends itself to soft gradations of tone, giving the angel a sense of volume and presence. The texture of the paper also plays a role, catching the chalk in its fibers and creating a slightly rough, almost palpable surface. Notice too, how the artist has used a grid to transfer the design onto a larger surface, probably for a fresco on a wall or ceiling. These are the skilled traditions the artist engaged with, alongside that of craft and fine arts. This drawing gives us insight into the labor and intellectual processes of this period. It challenges our conventional expectations of ‘high art’ versus craft, and asks us to consider the social context in which Pomarancio was working.