Adoration of the kings 

Jean Cousin the Elder's 'Adoration of the Kings' is a drawing which presents the biblical scene through a carefully constructed composition. Notice how the figures are arranged within a shallow space, creating a sense of compressed drama. The architectural elements in the background serve to frame the central group. The artist employs line to define form and texture, using hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and shadow. The use of perspective and proportion aims to convey spatial relationships. The drawing is more than just a depiction of a religious scene; it is a study in form and structure. Cousin manipulates classical motifs to examine the structural elements of the composition and their visual impact. The drawing creates a dialogue between the seen and the unseen, questioning how we perceive and interpret visual information.