Sketches for the birth and death of Adonis 1580 - 1583

This sheet of paper shows sketches for the birth and death of Adonis, made by Paolo Veronese in the 16th century. Veronese used the most fundamental of artistic processes: drawing. The lines were created using a metalpoint, likely silver, on paper prepared with a special coating. We can see the material influence on the artwork in the delicacy of the lines and the shading. Drawing like this was an essential skill for artists in Veronese's time. It was how they worked out their ideas, planned compositions, and studied the world around them. This particular drawing is not just a record of Veronese's thoughts, but also a testament to the value placed on skilled hand work in Renaissance workshops. The lines are imbued with cultural significance through the artist's skilled tradition, which allowed for the development of fine art, where drawing was seen as a fundamental skill and a mark of artistic genius. It challenges the idea that drawing is merely a preliminary step, emphasizing the importance of material, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.