Drawing c. 1960

Editor: This drawing by César at the Tate is super detailed, but it's also kind of haunting. All those tiny lines creating such a dark shape. What do you see in the composition of this work? Curator: The density of the hatching is paramount. Note how the convergence of lines creates tonal variations, effectively sculpting depth and shadow despite the limited palette. Observe also the tension established between the textured ground and the smooth, almost calligraphic, lines that traverse the central form. Editor: So, it's less about what the shape *is* and more about how the artist creates it? I'm starting to see how the contrast itself is the point. Curator: Precisely. The artwork invites us to analyze the syntax of mark-making itself, rather than seek external referents.