Departure of Tobit (recto); Sketch of Crucifixion (verso) n.d. (recto); n.d. (verso)

This drawing of the "Departure of Tobit" was made at an unknown date by an anonymous artist. It’s rendered in pen and brown ink on laid paper, common materials for the time. The laid paper gives the drawing a subtle texture. You can see the fine lines left by the papermaking process running horizontally across the sheet. The artist has used the pen with skill, varying the pressure to create lines that range from delicate to bold, giving the figures depth and volume. The process of drawing itself is quite direct. The artist has captured the scene with an economy of means. The use of line is especially effective for conveying the narrative. Drawings like this were often preparatory studies. They allowed artists to work out compositions before committing to more time-consuming mediums. Consider the labor involved and the skill required, this drawing exists at the intersection of craft and fine art.