Diana and Attendants? 1600 - 1700

Editor: This drawing, "Diana and Attendants?", created sometime between 1600 and 1700 by an anonymous artist, uses pencil and other media on paper. It’s housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I'm struck by its unfinished quality. What do you see in this piece beyond its draftsmanship? Curator: What jumps out to me is how this sketch, despite being incomplete, alludes to complex social dynamics of the period. We have Diana, goddess of the hunt and a symbol of female independence, surrounded by attendants. Think about the role of women, particularly in artistic patronage, at this time. Do you think this piece reflects those power structures or perhaps subverts them? Editor: Subverts them? I suppose it depends on how Diana is presented. Curator: Exactly. If it were a finished piece, where might it hang? Who would have commissioned it and for what purpose? Consider how mythological scenes often functioned within the social and political landscapes of the time, especially the imagery used to project authority. Editor: So, even an unfinished drawing can tell us something about the power dynamics and artistic patronage of the time. I hadn't really considered that before. It really brings a new level of depth to what I initially saw as just a simple sketch. Curator: Indeed. And think about how the museum itself frames this piece, ascribes value to it, and presents it to the public. All these elements contribute to the ever-evolving story of art. Editor: This makes me want to look closer at other unfinished works to see what they can reveal. Thanks!