Mucius Scaevola Before Porsena c. 1740s

Curator: At first glance, this drawing appears frantic. The linework is so energized, there’s a palpable tension radiating from it. Editor: That's a fantastic observation. What we’re seeing here is Gaspare Diziani’s “Mucius Scaevola Before Porsena,” an ink drawing dating from the 1740s, depicting a pivotal scene from Roman history. It's currently part of the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection. Curator: Ink work makes complete sense to me; look how thinly spread the ink is on the surface! It looks more sketched than drawn, really playing into this effect of action. I almost get the sense that this was done on site. What kind of political circumstances drove the distribution of history paintings like this, at the time? Editor: Well, the story of Mucius Scaevola was incredibly popular during periods of war and upheaval. His defiant act of self-sacrifice served as a potent symbol of Roman courage and patriotism. These kinds of artworks acted as visual propaganda. And with this piece existing in ink, and at this scale, you can start to imagine it mass-produced, or studied for much grander compositions. Curator: The material’s scale does indeed bring a sense of urgency. And even beyond that historical narrative, the textures themselves contribute to the drawing’s message, the dynamism lending credibility to Mucius' bravery. How might the art world have approached the subject if oil paint was the clear expectation? Editor: Had this subject been rendered in oil on a much grander scale, it would signify an establishment position, an appeal to a specific aristocratic class or government. Because this sketch carries the Baroque influence with that dynamic quality you highlighted earlier, you would imagine something more academic, which wouldn’t necessarily align with the revolutionary ideas linked with this narrative! The turn to a more intimate medium underscores its potential accessibility, broadening its societal impact. Curator: That makes perfect sense. Thinking about it materially provides context to the grandiosity of that moment. Editor: Yes, exactly! Looking at Diziani's choice to employ ink allowed us to examine the production and potential distribution of the image, enriching our grasp on the potent influence artworks wielded at pivotal moments. Curator: Thinking about Diziani’s piece and the potential ways ink opens the conversation around production, I better understand its contemporary relevance.