The Resurrection c. early 1640s

Pietro Testa made this drawing, The Resurrection, with pen and brown ink, nearly four centuries ago. The relative simplicity of the materials belies the complexity of the image. Look closely, and you can see how the ink creates depth and texture, almost like a fresco or mural painting. Testa uses a range of hatching techniques to render this biblical scene. The density of the lines defines light and shadow, imbuing the scene with drama. Notice, too, how the ink bleeds slightly into the paper, softening the edges and adding a sense of atmosphere. As you consider the drawing, reflect on the amount of labor that went into its creation. In Testa’s time, producing ink and preparing paper were themselves skilled processes. This reminds us that even the simplest of drawings is the result of complex interactions between the artist, materials, and cultural context. Appreciating this context can truly deepen our understanding.