Pietá n.d.

Louis-Jean-François Lagrenée created this Pietá on paper, using a red chalk to create the image. Chalk is an interesting choice, because of its directness. You draw right onto the surface of the paper. The method leaves a residue of soft material behind. Look closely, and you'll see it's a technique that allows for both precision and looseness. Chalk doesn't have the slickness of pen and ink, or the layering potential of paint. It sits right on the surface, almost like a performance. The artist captures a particular moment in time. In this case, Lagrenée used the medium to full effect. It's perfect for capturing the theatrical mood of this religious scene. You can almost imagine the artist standing there, quickly sketching it out with bold strokes. It goes to show that even a simple material can be used to create powerful and emotive images. Understanding the choice of materials and making can reveal so much about the work's social and cultural context.