Cellist c. 1872 - 1931

Willem de Zwart’s ‘Cellist’ is rendered in graphite, a humble material yet capable of great expression. The artist coaxes a range of tones from the graphite, using hatching and cross-hatching to create areas of light and shadow. The beauty of this drawing lies in the artist's direct engagement with the medium. The graphite is applied in a way that highlights its inherent qualities, like its ability to create subtle gradations of tone and a soft, velvety texture. De Zwart’s marks are direct and economical, showing the social context of the musician through a depiction of his weariness and the passage of time etched on his face. There is a sense of immediacy and intimacy, a connection between the artist, the model, and the viewer. De Zwart embraces the possibilities of drawing to convey not just a likeness, but also a sense of the sitter's inner life, their labor, their lived experience, emphasizing the value of the artwork beyond any traditional distinction.