Two standing male figures (recto); two standing male figures (verso) 1630 - 1680

This drawing of two standing male figures was made with red chalk on paper by an anonymous artist. Chalk as a medium is interesting because it is so basic. It's simply a pigment mixed with a binder, formed into a stick. Its very simplicity gives it an immediacy that can be lacking in more elaborate techniques. The artist here has used the chalk to great effect, creating a sense of depth and volume with just a few strokes. You can see the way the lines vary in thickness and pressure, creating a sense of light and shadow. While we don't know the artist's specific background, drawings like these were often made in workshops, as a way for artists to practice their skills or prepare for larger projects. In a sense, the drawing is a record of labor and process, of the artist's hand moving across the paper, working out the forms and proportions of the figures. So although the artist's name is lost to history, we can still appreciate the skill and effort that went into this drawing.