The Head of Saint George and Architectural Plans (verso) 1720 - 1721

Cosmas Damian Asam made this drawing, "The Head of Saint George and Architectural Plans," using pen and red chalk on paper. You might think of drawing as a quick and easy medium, but in Asam’s time, the production of paper was a laborious, skilled craft. Before the industrial revolution, paper was made by hand from pulped rags. The architectural plans on the verso give us insight into the artist's design process and the building trades of the 18th century. Red chalk, also called sanguine, was a popular medium for architectural drawings because of its earthy tone and ease of blending. Asam’s skill in draftsmanship shows the extensive training required to communicate complex ideas to builders and patrons. This drawing connects the fine arts and building crafts through the very materials and techniques employed, proving that the distinction between the two is not so clear cut after all.