Christ in Glory with the Virgin, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Michael; verso: Studies of two hands and a foot c. 1603 - 1604

Editor: Here we have Annibale Carracci's drawing, "Christ in Glory with the Virgin, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Michael," undated, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The loose sketchiness gives it a dynamic, almost frantic energy. What stands out to you? Curator: Note the layering of figures, and the rough, rapid pen strokes. Carracci uses the materiality of ink to suggest form, but more importantly, to explore the *process* of envisioning this scene. It's a study of labor itself, isn't it? How the artist's hand grapples with translating the divine. Editor: I never thought of it that way, as a study of labor. Curator: Consider the economics of art production at the time, the patronage system, and the artist's own role as a craftsman. This drawing isn't just *of* something; it's *about* the act of making itself. Editor: That provides a fascinating lens to view Carracci's work. Curator: Seeing art as a product of labor reshapes our understanding of its value and purpose.