Two Sleeping Figures 1600 - 1700

This drawing, "Two Sleeping Figures", was made with pen and brown ink, heightened with white, over red chalk on paper by an anonymous artist. It is quite revealing to consider the materials. Red chalk would have been made by grinding down a soft, earthy stone; it’s a very direct way of making a mark. The ink also has a natural origin, derived from tannin and iron salts; the artist would have dipped a quill into this mixture, drawing quick, dark lines. The addition of white heightening is a painterly touch, like adding highlights in oil. The use of these media suggests this was a sketch, perhaps a study for a larger composition, a way for the artist to think through a subject. It reminds us that even the greatest Renaissance masterpieces were built on a foundation of humble materials and processes. The artist's hand is evident in every stroke.