Study for the Assumption of the Virgin 1758

Jean-Baptiste Deshays made this sketch on canvas as a study for the “Assumption of the Virgin”. The quick strokes and visible underpainting reveal the artist’s process, typically hidden in a finished work. Oil paint allowed Deshays to build up layers of color, creating depth and luminosity. Consider the skilled labor involved in preparing the canvas, mixing pigments, and applying the paint with precision. While we see the artist's hand, so too we see that of workshop assistants, canvas makers and color grinders - a whole world of making. The very act of sketching implies a moment of creative exploration. The artist is working through ideas, experimenting with composition and light. It is interesting to consider how even the most seemingly ethereal subject matter, like a religious vision, is grounded in the material reality of artistic production. This preliminary work makes it possible to consider the labor and the context required to manifest these ideas in physical form. By appreciating the materials, making, and context of "Study for the Assumption of the Virgin," we can gain a deeper understanding of the full meaning of this artwork.