General Monk n.d.

This drawing of General Monk was made by Sir Peter Lely in the 17th century, and is now held at the Art Institute of Chicago. The monochromatic wash drawing centres on General Monk, enveloped in a swirling composition of neutral tones. Lely's use of layered brushstrokes creates a sense of depth and texture, particularly in the general's elaborate wig and armour. Notice how the fluidity of the wash blurs the lines between figure and ground. This technique softens the overall effect and suggests a dynamic interplay between presence and absence. The artist has made the sitter appear youthful and handsome through the skilled use of chiaroscuro to model the form. This can be read as an idealized representation of power, mediated through artistic skill and the conventions of portraiture. The deliberate ambiguity of line and form invites us to consider how identities are constructed and perceived through art.