Hemelvaart van Maria 1500 - 1547

This is Sebastiano del Piombo’s “Hemelvaart van Maria”, made in the 16th century with pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, heightened with white, over black chalk, on paper. Look closely, and you’ll see that this isn’t just a study for a painting; it's a deep exploration of the potential of drawing itself. The use of black chalk sets the underlying structure, over which layers of brown ink and gray wash build up tonal complexity. The white heightening is then applied to catch the light, giving the figures volume and presence. You can imagine Del Piombo carefully building up the image, using his skilled hand and eye. He seems to be experimenting with materials and techniques to create depth and drama. What could be seen as a preliminary stage in the production of a painting, instead becomes an artwork in its own right, one which values both artistry and labor. It reminds us that every artwork is a sum of decisions, each imbuing the piece with cultural and social significance.