No. 2: Sailor 1799

Henri Merke created "No. 2: Sailor," a drawing using graphite, pen, and gray ink, sometime between 1760 and 1820. The composition is dominated by the figure of a sailor, rendered with a precise, almost graphic linearity against the backdrop of a ship and maritime elements. The subdued palette of grays accentuates the starkness of the lines. The formal arrangement invites a structuralist reading. Merke's strategic use of line and form to create a portrait that borders on caricature is apparent. The sailor is captured in a moment of ordinary life, yet the artist’s hand transforms him into a figure that exceeds mere representation. The limited color palette contributes to a sense of detachment, encouraging viewers to decode the symbolic elements. Consider the way Merke uses the semiotic system of clothing and setting to communicate ideas about naval life. The drawing is a carefully constructed image that reveals the artist’s awareness of how images are coded and interpreted. "No. 2: Sailor" exemplifies how form and structure work together to invite both aesthetic appreciation and intellectual inquiry.