Zehn Philosophen um einen Globus versammelt 

This drawing of philosophers gathered around a globe was made by Domenico Beccafumi using pen and brown ink with brown wash over traces of black chalk. Beccafumi handled these basic materials in a highly skilled and laborious way. The composition displays a mastery of line work. Looking closely you can see how the pen and ink enabled him to create volume, depth, and texture with layers of hatching and cross-hatching. The use of brown wash softens the starkness of the lines and adds tonal variations, enhancing the overall sense of depth and atmosphere. The texture of the paper itself plays a role; its slight graininess interacts with the ink and wash, creating a subtle visual interest. The drawing is a testament to the tradition of draftsmanship, a fundamental skill of artists, architects, and engineers. In Beccafumi's time, drawing was the bedrock of artistic practice. It was the primary means of exploring ideas, planning compositions, and training apprentices. Appreciating the labor that is involved in making is essential for understanding not just the work but also the value that was placed on artistic skill and intellectual inquiry.