Copies after Raphael's 'The Finding of Moses' 1660 - 1710

Michel Corneille the Younger made this drawing, "Copies after Raphael's 'The Finding of Moses'," using red chalk on paper. The texture of the chalk allows the artist to create soft, diffuse lines, building up volume gradually. The drawing is a study, or perhaps more accurately a copy, of Raphael’s design. Copying was a central skill during Corneille’s time. It taught artists to master proportion, composition, and the handling of materials. The red chalk lends the figures a warmth and vitality, almost as if they are blushing. Notice how the artist varies the pressure to create different tonal values, suggesting light and shadow. This technique allowed artists to capture the nuances of form and expression. The drawing is not just a reproduction, but an interpretation, and a demonstration of skill. Ultimately, appreciating the labor and skill invested in this drawing reminds us that even copies can be valuable works of art in their own right.