Maria Magdalena am Grabe Christi 13 - 1854

Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld made this pen and brown ink drawing, Maria Magdalena am Grabe Christi, in 1854. Notice how the lines of ink create a sense of depth, shadow, and form. The relatively quick, economic nature of drawing lends itself to preliminary sketches, but also to finished works that stand on their own. In this case, it seems that Schnorr von Carolsfeld used the medium to explore a biblical subject. The controlled strokes of the pen result in a detailed and intricate composition, almost as if we are looking at an etching. The drawing has an immediacy and a certain kind of intimacy, that speaks to the artist’s direct engagement with the narrative. It also reminds us of the labor involved in creating art. Before industrial methods of mass production took hold, a drawing like this required significant time and skill. By emphasizing the handmade nature of the artwork, we recognize the value of the artist's labor, blurring the line between craft and fine art.