Friesartiges Ornament mit einer liegenden weiblichen Figur, zu ihren Füssen zwei Amoretten bei großen Gefäßen 

Giovanni Battista Zelotti made this frieze-like ornament, with a reclining female figure, and two cherubs at her feet, around 1526, using pen and brown ink with brown wash on paper. The artist skillfully used the simple tools of pen and ink to create a surprisingly three-dimensional effect, with the brown wash adding depth and shadow. Zelotti’s technique emphasizes the importance of drawing as a fundamental skill in the Renaissance workshop, where designs were often developed and refined on paper before being translated into other media. This type of drawing was essential for planning larger-scale projects like frescoes or sculptures. While seemingly simple, the process involves considerable labor and skill. The artist has complete control over every line, every shadow, and every detail, and this level of control is crucial to achieving the overall effect. The drawing is a direct record of Zelotti's hand, capturing his vision in a way that other more mediated processes might not. Ultimately, this drawing is a reminder of the artist’s physical and intellectual investment in the creative process, and it invites us to appreciate the artistry inherent in even the most preliminary of sketches.