Madonna and Child with Saints Gimignano, John the Baptist, George and Peter Martyr 

Guercino made this drawing, Madonna and Child with Saints Gimignano, John the Baptist, George and Peter Martyr, with graphite on paper. A seemingly simple medium, but the effect here is complex. Guercino uses delicate strokes, cross-hatching, and varied pressure to define the figures and their interaction. The graphite allows for a range of tonal values, capturing light and shadow. Graphite is easily erasable, which means that it is ideal for sketches. The spontaneity and fluidity of the medium are evident in the dynamic composition. It shows the evolution of his artistic process: exploring different ideas, working out the composition, and refining the details. Looking closely, we appreciate not just the image, but the artist's labor. The artist is not just depicting holy figures, but also reminding us of his skill, and the rich possibilities contained in a humble piece of graphite. This blurring of the lines is where the real story of the drawing resides.