Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple [verso]
1620
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
![Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/450080eaf8685583/full.webp)
1620
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a group of people in a dim, crowded space, drawn with quick, loose lines. The figures are simple shapes—some stand, some kneel, and one small face peeks up from the bottom right. The paper has a textured, off-white look, like old paper, and the ink is light brown, almost fading. The artist used lots of tiny, overlapping lines to build up shadows and shapes—this is called *cross-hatching*. It gives the drawing a scratchy, almost nervous energy, like the scene was sketched fast. Next, check out how *cross-hatching* works in other drawings.
![Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/b60030c863fe5e3b/thumb.webp)
