Moses and the Brazen Serpent n.d.

This drawing, "Moses and the Brazen Serpent," was rendered by an anonymous artist with pen and brown ink on paper. The choice of materials – readily available and relatively inexpensive – speaks to a practical approach, one focused on efficient communication rather than opulent display. The brown ink, applied with a fine-tipped pen, allows for a high degree of detail and control. The artist's hand skillfully articulates the figures, their poses and expressions conveying the drama of the biblical scene. The cross-hatching technique adds depth and shading, bringing a sense of volume to the figures. The act of drawing itself is intimate, a one-on-one encounter between the artist and the paper. Unlike the collaborative efforts often involved in larger-scale paintings or sculptures, this work bears the direct imprint of a single hand and mind. By focusing on the materials, the artist is able to convey the humanism of the scene depicted.