Daphne verandert in een boom 1540 - 1600

Pieter Coecke van Aelst made this drawing, "Daphne verandert in een boom", sometime in the first half of the 16th century, using black chalk on paper. The subtle, sketch-like quality of the black chalk is remarkable. Look closely at the soft, granular texture it creates, almost like a delicate dusting of powdered pigment. Notice how the artist captures the metamorphosis of Daphne through these lines, using the immediacy of the chalk to convey a sense of fleeting movement and transformation. This choice of material, with its inherent fragility, underscores the transient nature of the scene. Consider the social context in which this work was made. During the Renaissance, the rediscovery of classical mythology was in full swing, and artists like Coecke van Aelst were eager to interpret these ancient tales for a contemporary audience. Ultimately, understanding the materials and methods behind this drawing allows us to see it not just as a depiction of a mythical scene, but as a product of its time, reflecting the artistic and intellectual currents of the Renaissance.