Figure Studies: Three Sketches of Cain Killing Abel, with an Altar of Sacrifice at Center, Two Standing Women, a Hand, and a Seated Child with a Squirrel 1510 - 1561

This drawing was made in the mid-16th century by Battista Franco, using pen and brown ink, with brown wash, on laid paper. The artist is exploring a violent biblical scene here, but through the quiet labor of drawing. Franco painstakingly renders figures in dynamic poses, capturing the play of light and shadow. The thinness of the ink allows us to see the linear framework of the drawing. You can observe the artist building up volume and depth through delicate cross-hatching. It’s a method demanding time and precision. In Franco’s era, drawing was not just a preliminary step to painting or sculpture. It was a vital practice in itself, valued for its immediacy and the intimacy it offered into the artist's creative process. This drawing gives insight into Franco’s mastery of line and form, showcasing the intellectual and physical labor involved in bringing an image to life. It demonstrates the value of skill and artistic vision.