Grandgousier staand en schreeuwend 1939

Henk Henriët made this pencil drawing of Grandgousier in 1939. The artist is using graphite, one of the most basic and humble materials available. Here, the artist uses the simplicity of pencil to give the character of Grandgousier, a giant from a Renaissance novel, a sense of immediacy and raw emotion. The varying degrees of shading create depth, emphasizing the giant’s grotesque features and expressive stance, rooted in the history of caricature. Henriët’s choice to use pencil on paper enhances the artwork’s accessibility, blurring the boundaries between formal art and everyday drawing. The quickness of the medium allows for an almost journalistic capture of the figure’s essence. By highlighting these qualities, we understand how the artist turns a simple sketch into a powerful representation of character. This approach challenges how we think about artistic value, reminding us that profound expression can be found in the most unassuming materials.