Seated, Bearded Man Holding a Banderole 1524 - 1606

This drawing was made by Paolo Farinati, likely in Italy, sometime in the late 16th century, using pen and brown ink, with brown wash and white gouache over black chalk. The paper support has a warm tone, against which the figure really comes alive. Look closely, and you can see how Farinati built up the volumes of the drapery and the figure’s muscular arm, using a layering of light and dark. This wasn’t just a quick sketch, but a carefully considered study. Drawings like this were essential to the workshops of the period. They allowed artists to develop their ideas, and also to teach apprentices the fundamentals of representation. In that sense, even a drawing like this was a form of labor, geared toward larger projects and the perpetuation of artistic skill. So, next time you see a drawing, remember that it’s not just a preliminary exercise, but a vital link in the chain of artistic production.