Danae 

This drawing of Danae was made by Joachim Wtewael sometime before his death in 1638, using pen and brown ink. It's made with traditional artist's materials, but the scene itself is all about the material world: Danae is visited by Zeus, who rains down gold upon her. The artist is preoccupied with the appearance of things: fabric, skin, hair. Look closely at how Wtewael has used thin hatching lines to create shadows and volume. This gives the drawing a sense of depth, and makes the figures feel solid and real. The use of pen and ink allows for a high level of detail, from the folds in the fabric to the expressions on the faces of the figures. But notice, too, how Zeus rains coins down on the scene. This is not just a depiction of a classical myth, but a meditation on the power of money, perhaps with a touch of irony. In appreciating Wtewael's work, we can bring insights about art, craft, and capitalism together.