The priest near the clock 1922

This black ink drawing of a priest beside a clock was made by Boris Kustodiev. There's an immediacy to this drawing, like it was knocked out quickly. Kustodiev seems to be letting his hand do the work, making decisive marks that define the forms but also create a kind of vibrating energy. Look at the wallpaper, the way the simple dashes and squiggles come together to suggest a pattern without really describing it. It reminds me of Philip Guston's later work, where the forms are built from accumulations of simple, almost cartoonish marks. The difference here is Kustodiev's crispness. Each line is clear, and the composition feels balanced, even with the open space to the right. This piece is a reminder that drawing can be about capturing a feeling or a fleeting moment, not just about perfect representation. It's about the conversation between the artist and the paper, a dance of ink and intention.