Juno and Aeolus n.d.

Francesco Solimena made this drawing, Juno and Aeolus, in the 17th or 18th century using pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk on cream laid paper. The artist's draftsmanship is front and center here. Consider that the pen wasn't just a tool for outlining, but also for adding tonal variety with hatching and cross-hatching. It's a relatively immediate process, demanding a degree of assurance. The paper itself has a visual character too, its fibers creating a subtle texture beneath the image. We see the artist's thinking directly at play, as he layers line upon line to build form. While the subject matter may be high-flown, this drawing shows a close relationship to the material and process of image-making. It collapses any distinction between artistic inspiration and the skillful application of technique.