Study of a Woman, Bust Length, Wearing a Headdress, Facing Right c. 1660 - 1662

Cornelis Bega made this drawing of a woman wearing a headdress in the 17th century, using a reddish-brown chalk. The way the chalk is applied is really interesting. You can see the fine, controlled lines that define her face and the soft fabric of her headdress. But look closer, and you'll notice the broader, more energetic strokes in the background, creating a sense of depth and shadow. It's almost like Bega is playing with different modes of mark-making, from the precise to the gestural. Drawings like this were often studies for larger paintings, but they were also valued as works of art in their own right. The use of chalk, a relatively inexpensive and readily available material, allowed artists to explore ideas and capture fleeting impressions quickly and efficiently. In a way, it democratized the artistic process, making it more accessible to a wider range of practitioners. The drawing embodies the labor, process, and material of art making.