Tapijt met de intocht in Jeruzalem en prefiguraties in een kerk te La Chaise-Dieu c. 1868 - 1873

This drawing by Hippolyte Malègue depicts a tapestry showing the entry into Jerusalem. Note the texture of the piece. It is on paper, and appears to be pencil or charcoal. The way the image is rendered gives us clues about the artist's process. See how the artist rendered the tapestry with careful attention to its woven texture. Malègue is interested in capturing not just the image, but also the materiality of the original textile. The rough, tactile quality of the tapestry is evident in the drawing, achieved through careful shading and line work. This approach elevates what might be seen as a simple copy into a study of craft itself. It emphasizes the value of traditional skills and the importance of understanding an object through its making. By focusing on these details, Malègue challenges the typical hierarchy between fine art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the skill and labor involved in both.