Standing warrioress 

Pieter Tanjé made this drawing of a standing warrioress using pen and brown ink in the eighteenth century. The artist applied fine, closely spaced lines to create the figure and her garments. Note how the varying pressure of the artist's hand on the pen creates darker, thicker lines in some areas, such as the shadows under her skirt. The paper support itself also influences the appearance of the work, its texture and slight imperfections adding depth to the drawing. Consider the social context of this artwork. Tanjé was part of a well-established artistic tradition, but he also demonstrates a sensitivity to the material and the craft of drawing. The quick, economical lines suggest a study or preliminary sketch, rather than a finished artwork. By appreciating the artist's process, and the intrinsic qualities of pen, ink, and paper, we gain a deeper understanding of the work as more than just an image.