The Adoration of the Shepherds 

Cesare Pollini made this drawing of the Adoration of the Shepherds sometime between 1560 and 1630, using pen and brown ink with brown wash over red chalk, on paper. The red chalk creates the underlying forms, its earthiness suiting the pastoral subject of the Nativity, while the fluidity of the ink washes creates the shadows and volume of the figures. This combination of techniques tells us a lot about the way Renaissance artists worked. The chalk allowed for quick sketching and adjustments, while the ink wash gave the drawing depth and refinement. The layering of materials also speaks to the social context of art-making at the time, where the development of a composition was often a collaborative and iterative process. Pollini may have used this drawing to explore ideas for a larger painting or fresco, using the techniques of drawing to envision and refine his artistic vision. The drawing could have been transferred to a larger scale by assistants. Ultimately, the meaning of this artwork isn't just in the subject, but in the materials and the making. It's a window into the creative process of a Renaissance artist, challenging the modern idea of a sharp divide between the fine and applied arts.