Justice 1435 - 1445

Fra Angelico made this drawing called Justice in the 15th century using metalpoint on paper. Metalpoint, like silverpoint, uses a stylus made of metal, in this case dipped in red chalk, to create marks on a specially prepared surface. The quality of the lines in the image is a direct result of this process. Look closely and you can see how the fine metal point allows for precise, delicate strokes, building up tone and volume with remarkable control. This isn't a quick sketch; it's a carefully considered study, probably for a larger painting. The choice of materials, though traditional at the time, speaks to a culture of precision and refinement. Metalpoint demands skill and patience, virtues highly valued in Renaissance workshops. It reminds us that even preparatory drawings were seen as significant works in their own right. Considering the materials and processes used in its creation encourages us to expand our understanding of craft and fine art, and the social context in which they are made.