Bärtiger sitzender Prophet, auf einer Tafel lesend, Kniestück nach rechts 

Guercino, or Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, created this drawing of a bearded prophet sometime around the early 17th century, using pen and brown ink with brown wash on paper. The sepia tones and delicate lines are brought to life through the artist's skilled manipulation of the pen, creating a sense of depth and texture. Look closely, and you’ll see how the ink pools in certain areas, adding richness to the figure's robes and beard. The quick, flowing lines suggest that this drawing was done with speed and confidence, perhaps as a study for a larger painting. Drawings like these were essential to the workshop practice of the time, and they also speak to the broader economics of art production, where many hands could be involved in the making of a single image. They remind us that even seemingly spontaneous works like this are often the product of labor and collaboration. Appreciating this element of ‘making’ adds another layer to our understanding of the artwork.