J.M. Keynes 

This portrait of J.M. Keynes was made by David Low using graphite on paper. Low’s choice of graphite, a humble material, and a drawing, a quick method of capturing form, serve to satirize the economist. The artist's skillful handling of graphite allows him to model light and shadow, creating depth and volume to bring the figure to life. The marks made by the graphite create texture, lending a tactile quality that invites closer inspection of the scene depicted. The choice of such a simple material and process is interesting given the complexity of the subject’s intellectual pursuits, or perhaps it is a comment on them? Despite its simplicity, the drawing demands attention. It reminds us that all forms of expression, whether drawing or economics, involve a degree of labor and skill. By appreciating the materiality and process behind this work, we can better understand its message and social context. It blurs the lines between the fine arts and craft, inviting us to see the value in all forms of creative expression.