Baptism of Christ c. 18th century

Editor: This is François Le Moyne's "Baptism of Christ," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a brown and white drawing, and it feels almost like a study. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating exploration of labor here. Consider the physical act of drawing, the artist's hand moving across the page, enacting and re-enacting this religious scene, transforming spiritual ideals into a tangible commodity. What does the drawing medium itself tell us about its purpose and accessibility? Editor: So, the medium is the message here? Curator: Precisely. How does the act of sketching, rather than a finished painting, affect the way we interpret the scene's sacredness and its dissemination? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure!