Een zittende en twee staande jongens 1625 - 1629

Abraham Bloemaert made this drawing of three boys and a bird with pen in brown ink and brush in gray ink, during the 17th century in the Netherlands. The choice of pen and ink as a medium gives this work an intimate, immediate quality. Bloemaert coaxes a range of tones and textures from the humble materials. Look closely, and you’ll notice the hatching and cross-hatching, which build up shadows and volume. There is a clear distinction between these drawing techniques used for the children and the bird. The choice of materials speaks volumes about the role of drawing in the artist’s practice. Was this a preparatory sketch, or a finished work in its own right? Either way, the immediacy of the medium invites us to consider the artist’s hand, and the skill required to capture these figures with such economy of means. It blurs the line between a study and a finished piece. By emphasizing the materials and processes behind works like this, we can move beyond traditional art history and appreciate the artistry inherent in even the most seemingly simple drawings.