Study of David’s robes for the painting ‘The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ 1864

Józef Simmler made this study of David's robes, using pencil on paper, as preparation for his painting, ‘The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary’. What I find interesting here is that Simmler chose to focus on the drapery of the robes, rather than the figure itself. In traditional painting, the rendering of fabric was a highly prized skill, demonstrating the artist's ability to capture the fall and weight of cloth, as well as its texture and sheen. The way Simmler uses the pencil - with short, precise strokes to build up the shadows and folds of the fabric - speaks to the amount of work involved in achieving this level of realism. You can almost feel the weight of the material, the way it clings to the body and gathers in heavy folds. This attention to detail elevates the craft of painting, reminding us that even the most seemingly mundane aspects of a composition can be imbued with meaning and beauty through skilled and thoughtful execution.