Christ Walking on the Water, Peter Following c. 1550

Domenico Campagnola made this pen and ink drawing, Christ Walking on the Water, Peter Following, sometime in the 16th century. The controlled use of line is striking. It shows an artist deeply engaged with the materiality of ink: its flow, its capacity to create both delicate and bold marks. Notice how Campagnola uses closely spaced, parallel lines to create areas of shadow and volume. The process of drawing, especially with ink, demands a level of precision and control. The artist has to be fully present, carefully guiding the pen across the surface. In this work, the act of drawing itself becomes a kind of devotional exercise, mirroring the faith and dedication of the figures depicted. It’s not just about representing a religious scene, but embodying the values of patience, skill, and attentiveness. Considering the drawing through the lens of craft allows us to appreciate the skill and time involved in its creation. It prompts us to reconsider the traditional hierarchy between the fine arts and craft, and the cultural and economic conditions in which this drawing was made.