Jupiter and Juno in the clouds 1760 - 1800

Johann Gottlieb Prestel created this drawing of Jupiter and Juno in the clouds with pen and brown ink, and brush and brown wash. It is a beautiful example of the art of drawing. The sense of depth is built up in the drawing through the gradations of tone, which create a sense of volume and space. The artist has used a series of hatching and cross-hatching to create these tonal effects. The technique is often used by printmakers to mimic the effects of engraving. Note how the artist created depth and volume by the layering of washes. This suggests Prestel may have had a background in printmaking or a related field. Printmaking processes require a deep understanding of the way lines and tones work together to create an image. This piece beautifully shows how these techniques can be applied in drawing to achieve a similar effect. It is a testament to the artist's skill and the versatility of the drawing medium.