Vrouwenkop 1874 - 1945

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this drawing, Vrouwenkop, using expressive charcoal marks on paper. I can imagine Cachet in the act of drawing, searching for the right strokes to capture the essence of the woman's head. The charcoal smudges and blends, creating soft shadows and highlights. The linear quality of the strokes reminds me of some of Picasso's early drawings, or maybe even Matisse. I wonder, was Cachet trying to capture a likeness, or was he more interested in the play of light and shadow on the sitter's face? There's a feeling of intimacy, of being close to the subject. It’s like a conversation between artist and model, each line a response to the other’s presence.