Abstract: The relationship between disegno and Renaissance Venetian art has historically been a problematic one, with emphasis instead being placed on the Venetian predilection for colore. Scholarship of the past few decades has, however, challenged this perspective and drawn attention to the importance of the Venetian disegno. This digital conference brings together an international group of scholars and some of the most novel research in this field in order to establish a new frontier. Disegno is applied in its multifaceted nature to encompass the physical act of drawing, the tangible drawn object and the role of design in artistic practice. Papers will bear witness to this mutability by addressing topics including printmaking, workshop reuse, under-drawings and the adoption of diverse graphic media by Venetian artists active between circa 1430 and 1620. The term ‘Venetian’ is here taken in its broadest sense to encompass both Venice and its mainland territories. Also under consideration are artists who relocated to the Veneto and their contribution to the region’s artisanal culture. In its broad chronological, geographical and technical scope, this conference will reinvigorate consideration of what defines both Venetian art and the Venetian disegno.
