De verkondiging 1537 - 1585

Luca Cambiaso made this drawing, The Annunciation, with pen and brush in brown ink, and grey wash. You can see how the materiality of ink lends itself to the creation of light and shadow, the grey wash softly defining the forms, and the darker ink creating depth, and emphasizing the emotional intensity of the scene. The drawing is all about process. Look closely and you can discern a loose under-drawing of the grid. Cambiaso was a prolific artist, and this shows in the speed of his drawing style. He was experimenting with the division of pictorial space, and was able to suggest multiple figures in dynamic arrangements with great speed. The looser, more gestural the lines, the more room is left for interpretation, both by the artist and by us as viewers. The drawing’s immediacy allows us to engage with the artwork on a more intimate level, appreciating Cambiaso’s vision. It reminds us that understanding an artist’s process is crucial to unlocking an artwork’s full meaning, challenging any hierarchy between fine art and the art of craft.