Garden Figure "Pomona" c. 1939

Elizabeth Moutal made this drawing of "Pomona," a garden figure, sometime in the 20th century with graphite and colored pencil. The figure’s form emerges through delicate gradations of tone, which evoke the subtle modulation of light and shadow on the statue’s surface. The drawing is so intriguing to me because of its monochromatic restraint. The softness of the graphite and colored pencil gives a tactile quality, almost as if you could reach out and feel the cool stone of the statue. The way Moutal renders the folds of the dress, there's a real sensitivity to the play of light and the weight of the material. Notice, too, the gentle curve of her hat, echoing the roundness of the fruit she holds. It’s a quiet, confident piece that speaks to the beauty found in simplicity. I'm reminded of Agnes Martin's quiet grids, but with a figurative twist. Both artists share a knack for finding the sublime in the understated.