Design for an Altarpiece 1670 - 1730

This pen and brown ink drawing is a design for an altarpiece by an anonymous artist. Its classical architectural features and religious iconography reflect the influence of the Catholic Church, a major patron of the arts. The design features a central niche for a sculpture of the Madonna and Child, flanked by Corinthian columns and statues of saints. Angels hover above, and inscriptions adorn the entablature. But how does this image create meaning? We can contextualize this artwork through attention to the socio-political, economic, and cultural forces. Drawings like this, made by skilled but unknown craftsmen, could reflect the collaborative workshop practices that were typical of Renaissance Italy. Perhaps the artist worked on the design in conjunction with the commissioning church, negotiating the visual codes of sacred space in response to local preferences. Or this could be the output of the institutionalized training of young artists in a religious setting. Art historians use a range of resources to better understand the social and institutional contexts of art making.