Seated female nude clasping her knees 1920

This is a drawing, made by Rupert Bunny, of a seated female nude. I love how the pale umber lines of the body, almost like a memory trace, sit so gently on the buff-colored paper. You can really see the hand of the artist, the way they move around the figure, feeling for the form. There’s such a casualness to the drawing; it feels like a pure, unfiltered expression. The lines aren't trying to be perfect or even particularly accurate; they’re more interested in capturing the sensation of a body in space. The way the lines fade and thicken, especially around the knee that's closest to us, gives the drawing a sculptural quality. It’s like Bunny is sculpting with the barest minimum of means, but the effect is so alive. I can’t help but think of Rodin’s drawings when I see this. Both artists share a similar interest in the raw, unfiltered expression of the human form. It's a good reminder that art is a conversation, constantly evolving, and always open to new voices and interpretations.