Saint John at the Foot of the Cross

Saint John at the Foot of the Cross

Maso Finiguerra

1465

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a single figure walking away from us, draped in a long robe that falls in soft folds. The person’s head is turned slightly, and their hair is gathered neatly. Their left hand rests near their side, while the right hand holds something small—maybe a cloth or a book. The background is plain, letting the figure stand out clearly. The figure’s pose looks calm but purposeful, like they’re moving toward something important. The lines are precise, and the shading gives the robe texture without heavy color. Next, check out cross-hatching to see how artists like this one built up shadows with crisscrossed lines.

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app