Jacob Allowing Benjamin to Go to Egypt with His Brothers 1722

Sir James Thornhill created this drawing on paper with pen and brown wash, depicting a biblical scene. The sepia wash gives the image a tonal depth, allowing light and shadow to define the figures. Thornhill, active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, was known for his large-scale decorative schemes, particularly murals. Drawings like this would have served as preparatory studies for these grand projects, a way of working out composition and experimenting with form. The technique of pen and wash is especially useful for this, allowing for both precise linework and broad areas of shading. Each stroke of the pen and application of wash required skilled handwork and careful planning. The use of brown wash was common at the time, as the pigment was relatively inexpensive and easy to work with, allowing artists to rapidly test ideas. Considering the labor that went into creating this image, and others like it, we gain a greater appreciation for the skilled work and planning that went into the grand decorative schemes of the period.