The Spies Returning from Canaan
1694
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1694
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a group of people in a landscape, surrounded by trees and vines. Some figures stand on the ground, while others float above, as if carried by the wind. The lines are loose and flowing, with light blue wash adding depth to the scene. The artist used a grid of red lines to transfer the design elsewhere—likely onto a wall or ceiling. This was a common way to scale up large works back then. Next, look up Baroque to see how this style’s drama and movement fit into bigger art trends.
