Holy Family 17th-18th century

Editor: This is Jacobus Coelemans' "Holy Family". It's a pen and ink drawing. I’m struck by the intimacy of the scene, but also how unfinished it feels. What catches your eye? Curator: The sketch-like quality, you're right, gives it immediacy, like a fleeting glimpse. For me, it's the expressiveness achieved with such simple lines. Do you notice how Coelemans uses hatching to create volume? Editor: Yes, now that you mention it, the cross-hatching really does give them form! I'm going to look at hatching in other drawings now. Curator: Wonderful! It’s like the artist is inviting us into his thought process.