Figures Bathing in a Stream 

Nicolas Poussin created this drawing, "Figures Bathing in a Stream," using pen and brown ink on paper. Here, the very essence of the work lies in the artist's hand and the directness of the medium. Ink on paper is immediate, unvarnished. The brown ink, likely iron gall ink, was a common choice since the Middle Ages, prized for its permanence and depth of color. Poussin masterfully controls the flow of the ink, varying the pressure to create a rich tapestry of lines, defining form and suggesting light. The social context? Drawing was considered a fundamental skill for any aspiring painter. In Poussin's time, a drawing like this would have been a vital tool for exploring compositions and working out ideas before committing to a large-scale painting. It's a direct link to the artist's thought process, a testament to his skill, and a reminder that even the grandest artistic visions often begin with the simplest of materials.