Temptation of St. Anthony (recto); Fantastic Landscape (verso) 1515 - 1525

This drawing, "Temptation of St. Anthony," was made by Jan Wellens de Cock in the early 16th century, using pen and brown ink, with brown wash and white gouache, on gray prepared paper. The choice of materials here is notable. Rather than a straightforward painting, we see a combination of drawing with ink and gouache, a kind of opaque watercolor. The gray paper already sets a somber tone, against which the brown ink defines the figures in the foreground. The use of brown wash adds depth and shadow, particularly in the drapery, while the white gouache creates highlights that bring the scene to life. This combination of techniques allows de Cock to create a highly detailed and expressive composition, full of strange and grotesque figures that crowd St. Anthony. Consider how the paper supports the drawn elements, and how this careful assemblage of materials speaks to the artist's knowledge, and highly skilled traditions, challenging any hierarchy between drawing and painting, between craft and fine art.