The Adoration of the Christ Child with a choir of putti 1525 - 1575

Dall'Arzere made this drawing, "The Adoration of the Christ Child with a choir of putti," with pen and brown ink in the late 15th century. Its impact lies in the directness of that medium, which has a special connection to labor. The lines are simple, even humble, but they create a striking effect. The artist is able to generate a complete vision with a low-cost material; the drawing parallels the humble subject being depicted. Consider the sheer amount of handwork, and the relative lack of finish – the cross-hatching, the visible structure of the barn, and even the pentimenti – the places where the artist changed their mind. The drawing's sense of immediacy is the key to its impact. Its meaning comes not just from the religious scene depicted, but also from the way the artist worked, and the work that went into it. The drawing is not just an image, but a direct record of labor.