Untitled 1943

This portrait, by Kukryniksy, probably a drawing made with pencil and watercolor, captures a figure in uniform. The palette is muted, all grays and browns. I can imagine the artist working rapidly, seizing the moment to capture a likeness, maybe even poking fun at him—caricature can be funny like that. I think of Goya making portraits of the Spanish court. I like to imagine what the artists are thinking as they capture the essence of someone. The quick lines and washes give the image a sense of immediacy, but also a kind of detachment. It's interesting how a simple line can convey so much information. The dark lines around the nose and mouth really make those features pop! In that sense, drawing is a way of thinking through form, playing with how we see and perceive. What a tradition to be part of!