Egyptische reliëfsculptuur: een aap 1844 - 1896

Willem de Famars Testas made this drawing of an Egyptian relief sculpture using pen and ink. The choice of such basic materials speaks to the artist's desire for directness and clarity in capturing the original carving. Notice how the linear quality of the ink mirrors the incised lines of the relief itself. It's a deliberate echo that emphasizes the form of the monkey, its posture, and the details of its collar. The artist uses hatching to define the figure, a technique familiar from printmaking, which, like drawing, is a relatively democratic medium. The drawing is documentary, but also interpretive. By rendering the ancient sculpture in pen and ink, Testas enters into a dialogue with the original maker, bridging vast stretches of time and culture through the simple act of looking and mark-making. It’s a testament to the enduring power of both drawing and relief sculpture.