Studie van een gebeeldhouwde Madonna met kind op wolken 1827 - 1891

This is Johannes Bosboom's graphite drawing, "Study of a Sculpted Madonna and Child on Clouds," residing here at the Rijksmuseum. The composition centers on a vertical axis where the figures of Madonna and Child are stacked on cloud formations. The drawing appears to be a study of a sculpture; Bosboom carefully renders light and shadow to suggest form. Note how the delicate lines create a sense of depth, particularly in the folds of the Madonna's robes and the puffy clouds beneath her feet. Bosboom’s use of graphite allows for subtle gradations of tone, capturing a sense of ethereal lightness appropriate to the subject matter. Consider how this choice of medium influences our perception of the sacred figures. The drawing almost dissolves into the paper, evoking a transient, dreamlike vision, yet retains a grounded quality in the detailed rendering of form, creating an interesting tension that engages with ideas about materiality and spirituality.