Studie van een man, wijdbeens zittend, ten voeten uit 1892 - 1916

This ink drawing of a man sitting with his legs spread wide was made by Rik Wouters sometime between 1882 and 1916. The brushstrokes are so fluid, so sure of themselves. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the page, capturing the essence of the figure with a few simple lines. Look closely at the way Wouters uses the ink, how he varies the pressure to create different tones and textures. The ink is so thin it is almost transparent, and seems to just pool in places. See how the dark strokes define the contours of the man's body, while the lighter washes suggest the play of light and shadow. This is a drawing about process, about the joy of mark-making. For me, the man's right shoe stands out. It's just a few quick strokes, but it perfectly captures the way a shoe sits on the foot, the way it bends and creases. It reminds me of some of Manet's quick sketches of figures. It makes me think about how art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas across time.