Liggende kat 1876 - 1951

Theo Nieuwenhuis made this drawing of a resting cat with crayon and charcoal on paper. There is a beautiful economy of mark making, creating an image of the cat through just a few lines and strokes of color, leaving areas of the grey paper visible. It's interesting how the artist utilizes the grey paper as a middle tone, and then builds darker and lighter tones on top to create depth and volume. This layering of tones is a key part of the process here. Look at how the crayon is applied in short, choppy strokes, especially around the cat's head, with some strokes blurring the lines, really giving a sense of the cat's softness. This drawing reminds me of work by Manet. Like Manet, Nieuwenhuis isn't trying to hide the process, but leaving these marks visible, embracing ambiguity and inviting multiple interpretations.