Madonna and Child Seated in a Landscape c. 18th century

Editor: This drawing, "Madonna and Child Seated in a Landscape," is by an anonymous artist, and it's at the Harvard Art Museums. The soft charcoal lines really emphasize the folds of drapery. What can you tell me about the artist's use of materials here? Curator: The choice of charcoal itself speaks to accessibility and process. Consider the historical context: was this preparatory, a study? The very *make* of the image, the labor involved in creating it, suggests a specific function and social position for both artist and patron. Editor: So, the materials themselves hint at the drawing's purpose and the artist's place in society? Curator: Precisely. And think about the consumption of art at the time. Was this meant for private devotion, or public display? The materiality offers clues to the social life of the image. Editor: That's fascinating; I'll never look at charcoal the same way again!