Kneeling woman turned to the right 1525 - 1606

Paolo Farinati made this drawing of a kneeling woman in the 16th century, using pen and brown ink on paper. The brown ink, applied with a quill, varies in tone; it is both a tool for outlining form and for adding shading and depth, seen most clearly in the drapery. Farinati uses hatching and cross-hatching to suggest the play of light on the woman's form, giving the drawing a three-dimensional quality despite being on a flat surface. The strokes range from delicate and precise in areas like the face, to more rapid and gestural in the clothing, indicating a confident, skilled hand at work. The artist's skill and use of readily available materials gives this preliminary drawing a sense of immediacy and life. It blurs the line between sketch and finished artwork, reminding us that the value of art lies not only in the final product, but also in the artistry and labor involved in its creation.