St. Paul preaching at Athens (Copy of Raphael's tapestry, reversed) 1500 - 1600

This drawing is a copy of Raphael's tapestry, ‘St. Paul preaching at Athens,’ and is rendered in pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk. The process of translating a tapestry design into a drawing is quite interesting. The original tapestry would have been woven with wool and silk, a labor-intensive process involving skilled artisans operating complex looms. Tapestries like these were luxury items, and were commissioned by the wealthiest patrons. This copy is a study in muted tones, while Raphael’s original design would have been a riot of color. By copying it in ink, the draughtsman would have been able to disseminate Raphael’s design and make it more accessible. Even so, the drawing still captures the grandeur of the original composition. What is most striking is the way that drawing translates the labor-intensive craft of tapestry into an act of quick and decisive handwork, a process in its own right, and a fine art.