St. Catherine 1520

Matthias Grünewald sketched St. Catherine in ink sometime around the early 16th century. Here, he shows a saint in contemplation: she is holding a sword, and the artist renders her elegant drapery with delicate hatching. The material, a simple quill and ink, would have been typical for preparatory sketches. The artist would have worked with a practiced hand to imbue the lines with intention. The process is critical to the drawing's overall effect: it allowed Grünewald to work out his ideas with precision before committing to the final painting. The very act of drawing is about decision-making and refinement, essential for a painter concerned with both divine glory and earthly suffering. So, next time you look at a painting, don't forget to consider the foundational drawings that made it possible. They offer an insight into the artist's process, challenging the traditional hierarchy between drawing and painting, craft, and fine art.