Venus and Sleeping Cupid 1600 - 1625

Hans Stutte created this drawing of Venus and Cupid using pen and brown ink, with a grey wash. Look closely, and you'll see that it’s the rapidly applied lines, flicks, and pools of ink wash that give this drawing its character. These quick, loose marks aren't just a means of depicting the scene; they evoke a sense of the artist’s hand moving across the page. Stutte likely made the drawing in preparation for a print, or perhaps as a demonstration of his skill. Drawings like this reflect a specific kind of labor, born of artistic academies that arose in the 17th century. Mastery in drawing was the foundation for any painter or sculptor, and was tied to individual creative genius. Yet, the drawing also served a social function, circulating within a network of artists and patrons, demonstrating taste and discernment. Next time you look at a drawing, consider the hand that guided the pen, and the world of art education and commerce that made it possible.