The Communion of St Mary Magdalene
1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1650
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This drawing shows a group of figures tangled in swirling, cloud-like lines. The shapes blend together—no clear edges, just soft edges that fade into the light background. Some figures look like they’re reaching upward, while others seem to be floating or half-hidden in the misty forms. The artist used quick, sketchy strokes to create movement, almost like scribbled thoughts. The figures’ faces and bodies melt into the chaotic lines, making it hard to tell who’s who. Look up cross-hatching next to see how artists build texture with layers of lines.
