Praying Magdalene c. 1670s

Carlo Cignani created this drawing of the Praying Magdalene with red chalk on paper. Red chalk is interesting; as a material, it’s very direct. It's essentially an iron oxide pigment, mixed with clay, and formed into a stick. Think of it as a cousin of the humble pencil. But unlike pencil, which is typically used for preparatory sketches, red chalk has often been considered a medium in its own right. Cignani uses it here to give both structure and volume, through carefully hatched lines that both delineate the figure and model its form. It is a relatively quick method, compared to painting, but requires great skill to execute effectively. This particular drawing has an immediacy and intimacy, born from the close connection between hand, material, and paper. It reminds us that even within the grand tradition of Baroque art, there was always room for a direct, personal touch. Appreciating the making of this artwork allows us to understand that drawing can be both a preparatory stage and a final expression of the artist's vision.