Corsicaanse vrouw 1921

Lodewijk Schelfhout drew this Corsican woman on paper with ink, and what I notice first is how the marks are very controlled and precise. It’s like he's thinking through each line, figuring out how to make this image come to life with a sort of humble restraint. There's a mix of detailed work and areas where the artist lets the paper breathe. Look at the woman’s face: the shading is so smooth, giving her a real presence. Then, the background is almost a suggestion of a place, built up with these energetic lines that don't quite fill the space. The detail in her hands is interesting, too. See how one rests gently on the other, it lends her this serene, contemplative vibe. The whole thing feels like a conversation between the artist and his subject. I see a bit of Käthe Kollwitz here, that focus on the human form, the quiet intensity. But Schelfhout brings his own sensitivity, a lighter touch, suggesting the beauty in simplicity and the power of a single, well-placed line.