The Annunciation 1695 - 1705

Pedro Duque Cornejo made this drawing, The Annunciation, with pen and brown ink. The quick, expressive strokes suggest the artist aimed for immediacy rather than perfection. The relatively humble materials draw us closer to the artist's hand, allowing us to imagine the swift movements of his hand across the page. The choice of pen and ink, a traditional medium, implies a connection to earlier artistic practices. The visible ink lines add texture, weight, and depth to the ethereal scene. This drawing embodies the traditions of fine art, but through its making we see the artist's labor and engagement with the material, which challenges the notion that art exists separately from the physical process of its creation.