Draped Figure 1500 - 1600

This drawing of a draped figure was made with pen and brown ink, we don't know exactly when, nor who the artist was. Nevertheless, the kind of flowing pen work we see here was part of an important process in earlier centuries of European art. Academic institutions, such as the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in France, believed that drawing the human form from a variety of angles was the best way to learn the principles of representation. The ability to skillfully depict drapery suggested the artist's mastery over the real world. The drawing could act as a preparatory sketch or a finished work. The kind of flowing lines we see here could be considered 'good drawing' at the time. This particular image shows the kind of knowledge that was valued by society, as well as the importance of this knowledge being preserved through institutions such as museums and galleries. If you’re interested in learning more, look into the history of art education at the time.