Drei Putten mit Schrifttafeln 

Vincenzo Danti made this drawing, *Drei Putten mit Schrifttafeln*, using pen and brown ink. It shows three cherubic figures holding tablets, their bodies rendered with rapid, energetic strokes. The material itself—paper and ink—is quite humble. Yet, Danti coaxes a wealth of expression from it. Notice how the pen lines vary in thickness, creating a sense of depth and shadow. The quick, almost frantic marks give the figures a sense of vitality. This wasn't just sketching; it's about capturing the energy of his sculptural ideas on paper. The drawing mimics sculpture: Danti was a sculptor by trade, more familiar with stone, bronze, and clay than paper. This drawing can be viewed as part of the wider cultural shift taking place during the Renaissance, a time where the status of art and the artist was shifting and draftsmen became increasingly popular. Drawings such as this challenge the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft. It is both a preparatory sketch and a work of art in its own right.