Draped Female Figure at Prayer n.d.

Francesco Fontebasso made this drawing of draped female figures using pen and brown ink with watercolor washes. Ink and watercolor are relatively straightforward materials, but the way Fontebasso coaxes them across the page is masterful. The thinness of the media allowed him to build up layers of tone and texture, suggesting the weight and fall of fabric with incredible economy. Look closely, and you can see how the ink defines the contours of the figures, while the watercolor adds depth and volume. Drawings like this weren't always considered artworks in their own right. They were often preparatory studies for larger paintings, or exercises to develop skill. Yet the casual virtuosity on display here suggests that Fontebasso valued the process of drawing as an end in itself. By focusing on the materials and the making, we can appreciate the artist's skill and the drawing's inherent beauty, regardless of its intended purpose.