David and Bathsheba
1515
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1515
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing is packed with people in fancy clothes, standing in rows like a big crowd. Some hold books or scrolls, while others gesture toward a central scene where a woman in a long robe sits near a fountain. In the background, there’s a grand building with columns and statues, and the whole thing looks like a stage set. Notice how the artist used tiny, crisscrossed lines to build up shadows and details—it’s almost like a sketch come to life. The scene feels busy but orderly, like a story unfolding in layers. Want to see more of this style? Check out cross-hatching.
