Figures of Monks 1614 - 1685

Curator: Today, we’re examining "Figures of Monks," a pencil drawing crafted sometime between 1614 and 1685 by Juan Carreno de Miranda. It resides here at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It's fascinating to see the preliminary sketches, almost like glimpsing the artist's thought process. The varying degrees of completion lend an airy, immediate quality. Curator: Precisely. Notice de Miranda's masterful use of line. The shading, the hatching… it all contributes to a sense of depth and volume, particularly in the robes. The way the fabric folds is so skillfully rendered, suggesting not just form, but also a sense of gravity. Editor: And I'm immediately drawn to the process itself. These are monks, laborers of faith and knowledge. How were they positioned? How long did they stand? I wonder about the relationship between de Miranda and his subjects, the social contract of sitting for such a study. Curator: That's a compelling consideration. Formally, I see these studies reflecting a Baroque sensibility, but stripped down. De Miranda focuses more on academic detail and anatomical correctness. His commitment to the craft. Editor: And perhaps more directly, these sketches demonstrate that craft. The artist's labor is explicitly on display; each line a testament to time, skill, and materials employed. We see the hand in the process in these drawings, not so different in the monk's working. Curator: A harmonious synthesis between form and faith then! It underscores how visual composition elevates both devotion and art. Editor: Definitely! This drawing truly bridges the spiritual and the tangible realms. These lines highlight the inherent value and labor embedded in every mark and every robe, echoing each other. Curator: A truly remarkable interplay. Editor: Yes, these monks in pencil have certainly given us plenty to think about.