Studie van een staande naakte vrouw 1924

This is ‘Studie van een staande naakte vrouw,’ made by Simon Moulijn, likely around 1920. It is a study of a standing nude woman executed in black chalk, a material that lies between drawing and painting. Black chalk is created from natural earth, carefully ground and then mixed with a binder to form a soft, pliable crayon. The inherent qualities of the material lend themselves to broad tonal gradations, seen here to great effect. Notice the way the artist modulates light and shadow, capturing the softness of flesh and the subtle contours of the model's body. The immediacy of black chalk allowed Moulijn to capture fleeting moments and subtle nuances of expression. You can see the artist's hand in every stroke, reflecting the tradition of academic figure drawing. Yet, its reliance on natural resources also quietly speaks to broader issues of labor and the means of production, reminding us of the raw materials that underpin even the most refined artistic creations. By emphasizing materials, making, and context, we can begin to challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, recognizing the inherent value and significance of both.