Sacrifice of Iphigenia 1673 - 1683

This drawing, Sacrifice of Iphigenia, was made by Charles de la Fosse using chalk on paper. The artwork has a warm, subdued tone, and it is built up through layers of hatching in black and white chalk, with touches of red chalk. The texture of the paper gives the drawing an added sense of depth. You can see how La Fosse uses the chalk to create areas of light and shadow, emphasizing the drama of the scene. Consider that this is not just a spontaneous sketch, but rather a record of labor, planning, and technique. The drawing’s refined execution suggests that it was made in preparation for a larger painting, perhaps by assistants in the artist's studio. It would have taken hours to create, and demanded the skillful hand of an artist well-trained in the academic tradition. Ultimately, the drawing offers insight into 17th-century artistic production. It blurs the boundaries between fine art and craft, elevating the status of drawing as a medium of artistic expression.