Venus and the Dead Adonis (recto); Sketches of Venus and the Dead Adonis; several sketches of kneeling and standing figures (verso) 1696 - 1770

This drawing, “Venus and the Dead Adonis,” was made with reddish-brown chalk on paper by an anonymous artist. Notice the loose sketch-like quality of the marks. Chalk is a very direct medium, allowing for a rapid transfer of thought to paper. It's not a precious material; it invites experimentation. The artist has used this to full effect, creating a dynamic composition. The figures are rendered with a network of lines, quickly capturing their forms and emotional intensity. Look closely, and you'll see the artist has used hatching and cross-hatching to create shadows and volume, and a range of different pressures to give depth to the drawing. This isn't a highly finished piece, but rather a study, a preliminary exploration of a theme. It gives us a glimpse into the artist's process, their immediate response to the subject. The choice of chalk emphasizes the raw energy and immediacy of the creative act. This sketch blurs the lines between preparation and finished work, inviting us to value the creative process.