Noah 1874

Edward Burne-Jones created this sketch of Noah sometime in the 19th century, most likely using graphite pencil on paper. The choice of graphite allows for the creation of tonal depth, from light to dark, and it's this modelling of light that really gives the figure its sense of presence. Burne-Jones was known for his involvement with the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized handcraftsmanship in response to industrialization. Here we see a work that is entirely dependent on the artist’s hand for its effect. The hatching and cross-hatching that define the drapery and the subject’s beard are labor-intensive, a world apart from the mechanization transforming the art world and the economy in general. Even so, the sketch remains incomplete, a record of work in progress. This reminds us that drawings are often steps along the way to larger projects; Burne-Jones might have used this preparatory study for a painting, tapestry, or stained glass window. Approaching this sketch in terms of material and making helps us to appreciate the artist's working process, challenging the traditional hierarchy between drawing and other forms of art.