Christ Falling under the Cross 1782

Charles Nicolas Cochin II made this drawing, Christ Falling under the Cross, in the 1700s using pen and brown ink, with brown wash and white gouache, on paper. The inherent qualities of the materials speak to a historical process of artistic creation that straddles the realms of craft and fine art. Notice the sepia tones created by the brown ink, giving the artwork a warm, aged appearance. The strokes of the pen define the figures, while the brown wash adds depth and shadow. White gouache is subtly applied to highlight certain areas. Drawing was a skilled tradition, rooted in both academic training and artisanal practice. In Cochin's time, the making of preparatory drawings for engravings was a valued craft. Although this piece was never turned into an engraving, the artist’s technique gives us insight into the labor-intensive process of image-making in 18th-century Europe. The interplay of material and technique demonstrates how craft, design, and materiality intersect in art history.