Study for a Console c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Giovanni Battista Foggini’s "Study for a Console," dating back to the 17th century. It's an ink and watercolor drawing. I'm really intrigued by the process of making something like this. It feels almost improvisational, not highly polished, right? What’s your take on this piece? Curator: It is interesting to consider this artwork within the context of production, especially concerning Baroque designs like this. Note the rapid linework; Foggini isn't aiming for a finished product, but capturing an idea efficiently. The “waste” material, the paper, the ink, are relatively inexpensive and allow freedom in exploring the possibilities of form, right? Editor: Definitely. I notice that the design incorporates a human face within these decorative flourishes, and this makes me wonder about the labor that went into pieces like this, and how this design idea might eventually materialize in other costly media, like marble. Curator: Exactly! The shift from this initial sketch to a marble console reveals so much about material transformation and the investment of labour. This act, itself, elevates it beyond simple craftsmanship. Were the artisans of the time aware of the social elevation? Or simply taking instruction? Editor: I see what you mean about that tension, there may be no simple answer. By emphasizing materials and labour, you've really highlighted the distance between this drawing and its potential material existence. Curator: Consider the societal structures in place, supporting this hierarchy. Where does creativity originate, and where does skilled labour start and end? These objects of splendor are a conversation between mind and body. Editor: Fascinating. So, understanding the raw materials and labor processes helps to decode the social values embedded within it. Curator: Precisely. It gives you a tangible anchor to its historical significance, doesn't it? It is all interlinked. I learned new perspectives too.