Maria mit dem Jesuskind, der Heiligen Elisabeth und dem Johannesknaben c. 1541 - 1543

Agnolo Bronzino made this drawing of the Virgin, Christ Child, Saint Elisabeth and the Young John the Baptist using chalk and charcoal. The dark and light chalk lines create contrast on the paper. Look closely and you can see the grid. Bronzino used this grid to transfer the composition, square by square, from a smaller sketch. This was a common practice, a system that allowed for proportional enlargement. Interestingly, the grid is still visible, revealing Bronzino's creative process. It shows how he carefully planned and constructed his compositions. There is a sense of precision and control in his approach, reflecting the intellectual atmosphere of the time. By exploring the drawing's materials and techniques, we gain a deeper understanding of Bronzino's artistic practice, challenging our perceptions of art as something effortless.