Standing Shepherdess c. 1636 - 1640

Ferdinand Bol created this pen and brown ink drawing, Standing Shepherdess, in the 17th century. The quick, confident lines of the pen create a sense of movement and immediacy, while the brown ink lends a warm, earthy quality to the drawing. Bol's choice of materials speaks to a tradition of draftsmanship, where the artist's hand and skill are directly visible in the final product. The drawing is imbued with the culture of the Dutch Golden Age. The paper itself, likely handmade, adds another layer of tactility to the artwork. Every mark and stroke carries the weight of history and the artist's labor. By focusing on the materials and processes behind Standing Shepherdess, we can appreciate the artwork's full depth and complexity.