The Madonna of the Rosary
1674
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1674
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a woman holding a baby, surrounded by other figures in a loose, swirling scene. The lines are dark and busy, with lots of tiny strokes building up shadows and shapes. The paper has a textured look, like old paper with a grid pattern. The artist used quick, overlapping lines to create depth—no smooth shading here. The figures look a bit tangled, but that’s the point: movement and energy over perfect poses. Want to see more? Check out cross-hatching.
