Female Saint Holding Skull 

Bartolomé Estebán Murillo created this drawing of a female saint holding a skull with pen and brown ink, heightened with brown wash, on laid paper. The sketch reveals the artist's evolving thought process. Notice the linear quality, the pen strokes defining the contours of the figure, and the skull. The brown wash adds depth and volume, a shadowing effect that contrasts with the starkness of the paper. Murillo’s skilled hand teases out delicate forms that reflect his training, and the traditions of academic drawing. But we can also consider the labor and the social context embedded in this work. The paper itself, though seemingly humble, represents an investment of resources and human effort. Pen and ink, similarly, required skill and access. The artist's decision to render a religious subject also speaks to the social and cultural forces at play in Murillo's time, a reflection on mortality and devotion. By looking closely at the materials and processes behind "Female Saint Holding Skull," we gain a richer understanding of its meaning and significance, beyond traditional art historical narratives.