Standing Male Spain (an Apostle?) 1695 - 1705

Pedro Duque Cornejo made this drawing, Standing Male Spain (an Apostle?), using pen and brown ink. The material itself, paper, is so humble, yet its surface becomes a stage for a virtuoso performance. Look closely. Notice how the ink is not uniformly applied, but varies in tone and thickness. This creates a sense of depth and volume, even though it is just lines on a flat surface. The lines capture not just the figure's appearance, but also a sense of movement and energy. It reminds us that even a quick sketch can contain immense skill and intentionality. Cornejo was probably thinking through the pose, the drapery, the emotional affect he was seeking. There is an economy of means here. The artist's labor is distilled into a series of confident marks. This is an attitude of creative freedom, the sense that one's own hand is enough to make something beautiful. This challenges hierarchical distinctions between the fine arts and the supposedly lesser status of craft.