Portret van Karel V naar een sculptuur in albast

This drawing, "Portret van Karel V naar een sculptuur in albast," was made by Rauser after an alabaster sculpture. The artist used graphite on paper, a relatively simple medium to capture the likeness of a three-dimensional object. Alabaster is a soft, workable material, often associated with royal effigies and decorative arts. It allows for intricate carving. This drawing preserves the qualities of the original sculpture, with attention to texture, light, and shadow. The choice of graphite to depict sculpture raises questions about the role of craft and artistry, as the draughtsman is recording someone else's craft. The drawing's social context lies in the practice of replicating and disseminating images of power and status. It's a reminder that the impact of a work isn't just about the original material, but how it's interpreted and shared.