Mannenhoofd, vrouwenhoofd en naakte man 1820

Editor: This is "Mannenhoofd, vrouwenhoofd en naakte man" – "Head of a Man, Head of a Woman, and Nude Man" – a drawing in ink on paper, made around 1820 by David-Pierre Giottino Humbert de Superville, now at the Rijksmuseum. It's such a simple sketch, almost like a study. What do you see in it? Curator: The visual relationship between the figures interests me. Note the composition; how the artist utilizes the white space to define the forms and arrange the figures in relation to each other. Editor: It seems pretty academic in style, just focusing on profiles, like practice work, maybe? Curator: Observe the lines themselves. Are they gestural, expressive? Do they convey weight, volume, emotion? Consider the cross-hatching and contouring, especially in the head of the man, creating tonality and depth. Note how these details relate to the female and reclining nude figures and how they differ. What does this comparison suggest to you? Editor: Hmm, the cross-hatching really gives a sense of depth, you're right. And compared to the very minimal lines of the other two, it definitely stands out. It gives his face so much character. It’s more about line quality and relationships between the figures than direct representation, perhaps? Curator: Precisely. And those relationships of contrast create a composition that is greater than the sum of its parts. Did you notice a tension among them? Editor: I do now, and by focusing on the intrinsic qualities of lines and composition, it makes this sketch all the more powerful and thought provoking.