Seated Figure No.5 1945

Pierre Courtin made this drawing, Seated Figure No.5, using ink to create a study in tonal variation and shape. It’s all about lines, the way they define form and create a sense of depth where there’s really only a flat surface. Look closely, and you’ll notice how the density of the hatching gives weight to the figure and the cushion it sits on. The ink isn’t just a tool; it's a way of thinking through form, almost like sculpting with light and shadow. The texture created by the cross-hatching is palpable, it begs to be touched, and makes you want to know more about the subject. The feet are particularly interesting, almost childlike in their rendering. They anchor the figure, in this otherwise ambiguous space. It brings to mind the work of artists like Picasso, who were also preoccupied with breaking down the figure into geometric forms. Yet, Courtin brings his own sensibility to the process. It's a reminder that art is always a conversation, and always deeply personal.