Bildnis Der Nonne Veronika Vetter 1499

This is a drawing of Veronika Vetter, a nun, made by Hans Holbein the Elder in the early 16th century. It's rendered in delicate lines of ink, a relatively simple medium, yet it allows Holbein to capture the subtle nuances of her face and the folds of her habit. The drawing's character relies on the artist’s careful control of line weight, building up tone and texture. You can see how he uses hatching to create the illusion of depth and shadow. This level of detail speaks to Holbein's deep understanding of materials and processes, as well as the social context. Drawings like these were often preparatory studies for paintings. They provide insight into the artist's working method and the time-intensive labor involved in creating artworks. Holbein wasn’t just representing his subject; he was also performing a kind of labor, translating observation into a tangible form through skill and technique. By appreciating the material and the making, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork's cultural significance.