Adoration of the Shepherds 1699 - 1783

Francisco Vieira de Mattos, also known as Il Lusitano, made this drawing, Adoration of the Shepherds, using red chalk. The material itself gives the artwork its overall reddish-brown tone and soft, granular texture. Red chalk is made from iron oxide, and was favored by artists for its ability to create subtle gradations of light and shadow. Look closely, and you can see how the artist built up the forms through layers of hatching and cross-hatching. The drawing has an immediacy that suggests it was made in preparation for a larger painting. Il Lusitano likely used the chalk to quickly capture the composition and work out the details of the figures, light, and space. Though this was a preparatory sketch, it is still considered a fine artwork with an aesthetic value of its own. It demonstrates the artist's skilled hand and creative process. Ultimately, understanding the medium helps us to appreciate the artistry involved in creating this drawing.