A Large Group of Putti Playing Contentedly by a Stream 1802 - 1827

Conrad Martin Metz made this drawing, A Large Group of Putti Playing Contentedly by a Stream, using pen and brown ink, with brown wash and some white heightening on paper. Metz has employed the wash technique in an interesting way here, using diluted ink to create tonal variations that model the forms of the figures, and suggest a sense of depth and shadow. This application is loose, and is indicative of a quick way of working. The drawing has an appealing lightness, in part due to the thinness of the materials and the apparent speed of its production, but don't be fooled. The number of figures Metz has rendered speaks to the labor involved, and his mastery of rendering the human form in active poses. Metz's expertise with ink and wash, combined with his skill in rendering the human figure, elevate this drawing beyond a mere sketch, blurring the lines between preparatory study and finished artwork. In doing so, it challenges traditional distinctions between craft and fine art.