Betender Johannesknabe aus Raffaels Madonna della Seggiola 

This drawing of the praying John the Baptist, after Raphael's Madonna della Seggiola, was made by Anna von Biedenfeld. Von Biedenfeld used delicate strokes of graphite on paper to create the luminous quality of the original painting, as well as its sense of divine grace. The careful technique imitates the smooth surfaces and subtle gradations of Renaissance oil painting. However, the shift to drawing allowed for a greater emphasis on line, and on the underlying structure of the composition. The making of a drawing like this was itself a mark of refinement and accomplishment. In earlier centuries, drawing was seen as a fundamental skill, linked to intellectual prowess and social status. While drawing is often seen as preliminary to more finished works, von Biedenfeld's meticulous engagement with the medium elevates it to a form of art in its own right. It reminds us that the most profound artistic statements can be made through quiet acts of observation and skillful execution. It bridges the gap between the fine arts and the more intimate realm of craft.