St. James Major c. 18th century

This drawing of St. James Major was made with pen and brown ink, over an underlayer of brown wash, on cream laid paper. The artist has skillfully used these materials to convey a sense of depth and shadow, which is particularly noticeable in the folds of St. James’ robe. The use of brown ink and wash gives the drawing a warm, earthy quality, befitting the depiction of a humble pilgrim. We can imagine the artist carefully layering the ink and wash to achieve the desired effect, a process that requires patience and precision. The laid paper provides a subtle texture that enhances the overall tactile experience of the drawing. The choice of these relatively simple materials – paper, pen, and ink – speaks to a tradition of drawing as a fundamental skill for artists. It invites us to appreciate the artist's technical abilities and the expressive potential of humble materials. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we recognize that the perceived division between fine art and craft is not so clear.