Mönch, emporblickend (exemplum doloris) 

Peter Paul Rubens made this drawing of a monk looking upwards, called ‘exemplum doloris’, using black and red chalk, heightened with white, on paper. The texture of the paper, its slight roughness, is crucial here, as it catches the chalk, allowing Rubens to build up tone and volume with loose, expressive strokes. Notice how the red chalk warms the ears and nose, while the black defines the beard and the folds of the monk's habit. The white chalk, used sparingly, highlights the bridge of the nose and the upper lip, catching the light. Rubens was a master of this kind of ‘aux trois crayons’ technique, using the inherent qualities of the materials to create a sense of immediacy and life. But it's not just about technical skill. The drawing also speaks to the social context of Rubens' time. Monks were figures of both spiritual authority and earthly power, and Rubens captures this duality in the monk's gaze, which is both devout and troubled. The materials and making, in this case, are inextricably linked to the subject and its historical significance. It reminds us that even a seemingly simple drawing can be a window into a complex world.