Untitled (Two nude women) 1927

Charles Houghton Howard made this untitled drawing of two nude women with ink on paper, but there's no date on it. I like the way he's used the cross hatching technique to build up a sense of depth and volume. It’s almost like he's sculpting with lines, giving the figures a really solid, tangible presence. Look at the woman on the left. She's sitting with her legs crossed and it’s so interesting how Howard uses these tiny little marks to describe the curve of her belly and the folds of skin. You can really see the artist at work, making decisions, trying out different ways to capture the light and shadow on her body. It’s really this layering that makes the drawing feel so alive. I am reminded of the work of Marsden Hartley, with its emphasis on form and bold lines, but Howard has a tenderness, creating something deeply personal and intimate. Ultimately, it’s a piece that invites us to slow down, to look closely, and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the human form.