Seated woman turned to the right, and a sketch for the upper part of a male body 16th century

This drawing of a seated woman with an additional sketch of a male torso was made anonymously using traditional drawing materials. The artist used what appears to be graphite or charcoal on paper. The material’s inherent qualities – its darkness, its capacity for smudging, and the tooth of the paper – give the drawing its rich tonal range. It creates a sense of depth and volume. Look closely and you'll see how the artist varied the pressure, the direction, and the density of the marks to create contrasts of light and shadow, and to model the forms of the figure. There is a long history of skilled traditions, that are related to fine art and craft, that engage with techniques, tools and aesthetics used by the artist. The drawing is a testament to the artist’s skill in observation, anatomy, and composition. Paying attention to the materials, the making process, and the cultural context helps us to appreciate the artistry of this drawing and challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.