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a) The Baptism of Christ; b) Draped Figure Holding a Book and Man Wielding an Ax with a Figure

Pietro Perugino

1475

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

a) The Baptism of Christ; b) Draped Figure Holding a Book and Man Wielding an Ax with a Figure is a 1475 ink by Pietro Perugino, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Pietro Perugino
When & what style?: 1475 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a group of figures in loose, quick lines. One person stands front and center, holding a book or scroll. Another figure next to them wields a tool that looks like an ax. The background is packed with smaller, half-finished shapes—some look like people, others like buildings or objects. The lines are all drawn with ink and chalk, layered in a way that makes some areas darker. The artist seems to be working out poses and details, not finishing them. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.