Two Heads of an Old and a Young Woman Looking to the Left (Ages of Woman?) 1609 - 1670

Editor: This drawing, "Two Heads of an Old and a Young Woman Looking to the Left (Ages of Woman?)," dates roughly between 1609 and 1670. It's pencil on paper. What immediately strikes me is the rough quality of the paper itself; it's clearly aged and imperfect. What stands out to you when you consider this piece? Curator: For me, it's the deliberate use of a relatively inexpensive and readily available material like paper and pencil that really speaks volumes. Drawings like this were often studies, preparations for larger works, or records. Think of the social context: who had access to these materials, and what did that imply about the purpose of the image? Editor: That's a great point. The imperfections of the paper, instead of detracting from the work, actually make it feel more immediate. It really makes me consider the hand of the artist and the economic realities they were working within. Were drawings always considered "lesser" than paintings, given the materials involved? Curator: That’s a common misconception, that drawings are simply studies. But look at the care taken in rendering the two heads, despite using a 'humble' material. What labor went into sourcing, treating and pricing those paper and pencils at the time? These materials, the drawing itself, have inherent value, and its own social and economic footprint within the production of this art. Editor: It does make me rethink how I approach drawings in general. Instead of seeing them as preliminary, maybe we should consider them as products shaped by material constraints and deliberate artistic choices. Thanks for opening my eyes to that! Curator: And in turn, thinking about the " Ages of Woman " invites me to wonder, who was its audience, how might these images, readily made on simple paper with pencils, have reflected or impacted the lives of those consuming them.