Muttergottes von Engeln getragen auf Wolken 

Federico Barocci’s ‘Muttergottes von Engeln getragen auf Wolken’ at the Städel Museum, presents a study in ink and wash, defined by its ethereal composition. The Virgin Mary, surrounded by angels and clouds, is rendered with delicate lines, creating a sense of lightness and movement. Barocci uses the monochrome palette to emphasize form and structure, allowing the viewer to focus on the dynamic arrangement of figures. This approach is rooted in the artistic theories of the time, which valued the underlying structure of a work as much as its surface appearance. The careful articulation of space and the way figures interact within it, reveals Barocci's interest in how art could challenge fixed, idealized forms. The drawing functions not merely as a preparatory sketch, but also as an exploration of the expressive possibilities inherent in line and composition.