Sitzender weiblicher Akt, der Kopf dem angezogenen rechten Knie zugeneigt c. 1924

Georg Kolbe made this drawing, Sitzender weiblicher Akt, at an unknown date with pencil and wash, and what strikes me is the sense of light he achieves, even with such minimal means. It makes me wonder what the experience was like for the artist and model, in the studio that day. The pose is both closed and relaxed, the model resting her head on her knee. Kolbe uses long, flowing lines to describe the curves of her body, alternating between light and dark to convey depth and volume. A subtle wash of color adds warmth to the skin, and the way the color bleeds at the edges creates a dreamy, atmospheric effect. I imagine Kolbe felt empathy and respect for his subject. The drawing has an intimate quality, capturing a moment of quiet contemplation and a sense of shared humanity. It reminds me of other artists who have explored the beauty and vulnerability of the human form and the dialogues that exist between artist, model and artwork.