Drie Maria’s c. 1610 - 1615

This delicate drawing, "Drie Maria’s," was made by an anonymous artist, using pen and brown ink, likely in the 17th or 18th century. The use of ink on paper might seem simple, but it speaks volumes about the printmaking process of the time. Look closely, and you can see how the artist varies the line weight to create shadow and depth. The image has an immediacy, as if jotted down from life, but also a deliberate refinement. The lines build up to give a sense of form, but are also left open, creating a sense of incompleteness, of searching. Consider the work involved in creating an image like this: the grinding of pigments to make ink, the preparation of the paper, the sure hand required to render the image. All these are acts of skilled labor, and the drawing is a testament to the artist's proficiency. The work challenges our conventional notions of high art. By paying attention to the materials, the making process, and the context, we can appreciate the true meaning of this understated artwork.