As announced, by The Arts Society Mallorca, In her illustrated talk on the history of metalpoint drawing, Cook traces the chequered development of this medium from its earliest mentions in Roman times to its increased use in medieval monasteries and the early Renaissance to its virtual oblivion in the 17th century. Its later renaissances, first in the 19th century, thanks to the chance discovery of Cennino Cennini’s manuscript in Italian archives, and later in the 20th century, courtesy of an innovative museum curator in the United States, ensure that today, it is an unusual but compelling drawing medium that is the antithesis of our hyped technicolour world.

Saint Luke drawing the Virgin Detail c. 1491-1510 - an illustration of the long heritage of metalpoint drawing.