Grape Leaves II 1974

Ellsworth Kelly made this drawing of Grape Leaves II with graphite on paper. The deceptively simple lines that describe each leaf, somehow perfectly capture that organic and natural sense of growth and form. It reminds me of Giacometti’s drawings, where the line feels tentative, searching, like the artist is trying to find the essence of the thing itself. The texture of the paper is crucial here, it's part of the drawing. The grey of the graphite against the off-white of the paper, create a tonal harmony. There is no shading or modeling to create depth, so it feels flat, abstract, and modern. But look closely at how each leaf is different, the way the graphite wavers, showing the artist's hand, and how those slight imperfections make it feel so alive. Kelly’s focus on observation and abstraction connects him to artists like Matisse, who also found endless inspiration in nature. Ultimately, drawings like this remind us that art isn't about perfect representation, but about seeing, feeling, and the magic of translation.