Apollo en Pan in een bootje 1652 - 1707

Franz Ertinger made this drawing, Apollo en Pan in een bootje, in the 17th century using pen and ink. The application of ink to paper, seemingly simple, is in fact full of potential. Here, the artist skillfully uses the variable thickness of lines to create depth and texture. Look closely, and you’ll notice how Ertinger articulates the forms of the figures, differentiating their robes from the boat, and the clouds from the water. The density of the ink lines determines the play of light and shadow, giving the drawing a sculptural quality. It is a highly detailed composition, the artist has carefully considered the arrangement of elements to lead the viewer's eye through the image. This reminds us that drawing, while seemingly immediate, is in fact a considered mode of production. When we look at drawings like this, we can appreciate the work involved in their making, and the skill that comes through practice.