Mannenkop c. 1935 - 1936

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this study, “Mannenkop”, out of graphite on paper. The artist has a very loose, sketchy style, and the hurried marks of the pencil give a strong sense of artmaking as a process. Look at the way the paper peeks through! The texture isn’t obscured by layers of material. The graphite is applied in many short, thin lines that emphasize the overall form of the head and define the facial features. There’s a real economy of mark-making here, and I love how the artist embraces the ‘unfinished’ look. See how the light and shadow work together? The artist has used the lightest touch to describe the planes of the face. The heavy shading around the mouth is interesting. I love seeing the quick studies artists do; it reminds me a little of Picasso’s rapid, restless line. Ultimately, art isn't about answers, it's about keeping the conversation going.