Standing female nude with baton in the right 1508

Albrecht Durer made this drawing of a standing female nude with pen and brown ink on paper around 1508. The ink, fluid and responsive, allowed Durer to explore the nuances of light and shadow across the figure's form. The careful cross-hatching suggests Durer's interest in capturing the textures of skin and the fall of light, and you will notice that the work's material qualities play a crucial role in shaping its appearance. Durer's precise lines and attention to detail reveal a deep understanding of anatomy, which was obtained through laborious processes of observation and practice, characteristic of craft traditions and the wider intellectual environment during the Renaissance. Durer's engagement with drawing, a medium often associated with preparatory studies, elevates the status of craft traditions. By mastering the intricacies of pen and ink, Durer challenges conventional hierarchies, asserting the importance of material exploration and technical skill in artistic expression.