Paradise 1519 - 1594

Jacopo Tintoretto made this drawing, Paradise, with pen and brown ink, and brown wash over black chalk. The fluidity of ink allowed him to depict a heavenly scene. Wash is an exciting technique; here, Tintoretto diluted ink with water and applied it in broad areas to create tonal variations. Look how the ink pools and flows across the paper's surface! This was probably a preparatory study for a large-scale painting, and the wash helped him visualize the light and shadow in the final composition. The use of pen and ink lends itself well to capturing the dynamic energy and movement in Paradise. In comparison to paintings that typically have clear, defined lines, here, lines are soft and blurred. The choice of materials speaks to Tintoretto's process as an artist, as the drawing's texture, weight, color, and form are inherently linked to the techniques employed. So, next time you look at a drawing or painting, remember that it is not only the image it creates, but also the materials and making that define its meaning.