Stehende Madonna mit einer Blume c. 1480

This is a drawing of the Standing Madonna with a Flower, made with pen and brown ink by an anonymous artist. The drawing’s impact comes from its skillful manipulation of line, creating a tangible sense of volume and texture. Notice how the ink varies in tone and thickness, building form and shadow with remarkable economy. The pen lines articulate the heavy drapery, almost like hammered metal, and delicately define the faces of mother and child. The artist must have been intimately familiar with the behavior of ink on paper, understanding how to achieve such subtle gradations. In a workshop setting, drawing was crucial for translating ideas into material form. Preparatory sketches like this one served as a vital step for realizing complex paintings and sculptures. Considering the time and skill invested, this drawing testifies to the cultural value placed on both the image of the Madonna and the art of drawing itself. It urges us to look closely at the intersection of labor, skill, and devotion.