Sir Rabindranath Tagore 1912

Here we see a portrait of Sir Rabindranath Tagore, rendered in pencil on paper by Sir William Rothenstein. The artist has used graphite, a readily available material, to create a drawing. The medium's accessibility democratizes art, making it more inclusive, moving away from exclusive, costly materials, and intricate techniques. This simplicity underscores the artist's intent to capture the essence of Tagore, rather than a display of technical virtuosity. The marks on the paper reveal the artist's hand, with each stroke contributing to the overall image. There's a directness and immediacy to the work, inviting us to consider the labor and skill involved in the act of drawing. The simplicity of the materials contrasts with the complexity of Tagore's persona, a juxtaposition that elevates the drawing beyond mere representation. By focusing on the materials and making, we recognize the social context of artistic creation. The drawing invites us to reconsider what we value in art, and what we define as craft.