Adoration of the Magi 1559

Lambert van Noort created this drawing, Adoration of the Magi, with pen and brown ink, and brown wash on laid paper, sometime between 1520 and 1570. The materiality of this work is significant. Paper, pen, and ink are relatively humble materials, yet in van Noort’s skilled hands, they yield a complex composition. Notice how the brown wash imbues the drawing with depth, creating a sense of light and shadow that brings the scene to life. The repetitive, careful strokes of the pen suggest a considerable amount of labor, echoing the devotion of the Magi depicted in the scene. In the 16th century, printmaking was becoming more prevalent. Drawings like this one were crucial for disseminating images widely. The artist had to be skilled not only in artistry but also in understanding how their work would translate into printed form. This was an early form of mass production, reflecting the changing social dynamics of the time. The drawing emphasizes the importance of materials and making, in understanding art, and how this challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.