Reliquary Containing Two Slender Bones 1850 - 1900

This drawing of a reliquary containing two slender bones was made anonymously with graphite on paper. Reliquaries are containers for relics, objects or body parts associated with a holy person. In medieval Europe, such objects were believed to have special powers and were venerated in churches and monasteries. This drawing allows us to reflect on the politics of imagery. The reliquary is rendered with precision and detail, suggesting its importance as a sacred object, as well as the central position of the Church in the lives of the people. The Gothic architectural style adds to the sense of grandeur and reverence, which might also speak to the power and wealth of the Church. By studying manuscripts, church records, and other historical documents, the historian can shed light on the social conditions that shaped artistic production and the role of art in reinforcing social norms. Art is contingent on social and institutional context, and studying that context can offer a richer understanding of the art itself.