Madonna and Child with Rosary and Saint 

Abraham van Diepenbeeck created this drawing of the Madonna and Child with Rosary and Saint using pen and brown ink, with grey and brown wash, heightened with white, on paper. The artist makes expressive use of line and wash to render the scene, creating a dynamic composition. Pen and ink is a traditional medium, yet here the effect is quite painterly. The washes of grey and brown soften the contours and create a sense of depth, and the touches of white highlight add luminosity. Given the scale and the details, this was likely a study for a larger painting, perhaps even a tapestry design. What’s fascinating here is the relationship between this drawing and the skilled labor involved in the other potential artworks. This piece invites us to think about the amount of work involved in the production process and its wider social implications, blurring the lines between the fine arts, design, and craft.