A detailed Dutch Golden Age drawing in black chalk and grey wash, depicting the biblical scene of Lot and his daughters.

This drawing by Moses ter Borch depicts the biblical narrative of Lot and his daughters. The composition focuses on the aftermath of the destruction of Sodom, with Lot shown in a state of intoxication. His daughters are positioned around him, one offering a vessel while the other stands behind, observing the scene. Ter Borch employs black chalk and grey wash to create a range of tonal values, defining the figures against a shadowed, cavernous background.

The artist, a member of the notable Ter Borch family of painters, demonstrates a command of light and shadow characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age. The figures are rendered with a sense of volume, their clothing and postures conveying the gravity of the subject matter. The background includes a subtle suggestion of a distant fire, providing context to the narrative without distracting from the primary figures. The use of wash allows for soft transitions, giving the work a painterly quality despite its status as a drawing.

Moses ter Borch was a talented draughtsman whose career was cut short by his early death. His works often reflect the influence of his more famous brother, Gerard ter Borch, yet they maintain a distinct character in their handling of line and tone. This piece is a study in human frailty and narrative tension, captured through the medium of chalk and wash. The attention to the texture of the garments and the expressive faces of the subjects demonstrates the technical skill prevalent in the Dutch artistic tradition of the seventeenth century. The work remains a clear example of the period's interest in moralising biblical themes, presented with a focus on psychological depth and atmospheric lighting.