De blinde Oedipus door Antigone geleid 1780 - 1849

David-Pierre Giottino Humbert de Superville made this drawing, "The blind Oedipus led by Antigone," using pen and brown ink, likely as a study for a larger work. The thinness of the lines suggests a quill, which would have allowed for a good degree of control. The relatively simple materials stand in contrast to the potent subject matter. Oedipus, the tragic hero of Greek mythology, is here rendered with brisk, confident strokes. Look at the way the artist uses hatching to suggest shadow and form. These quick marks must have been laid down rapidly and with precision. The choice of pen and ink, a relatively inexpensive and accessible medium, underscores the drawing's function as a preparatory sketch. In a sense, the artist's labor is laid bare, revealing the process of translating a complex narrative into visual form. It is an intimate glimpse into the artist's creative process.