Woodman c. 1920s

Alexander Zerdin Kruse made this image of a woodman with graphite on paper. You can see the density of the mark-making, the way he has used the graphite to build tone, create volume, and define the textures of the wood, the clothes, the landscape. It’s a very physical process, and I can imagine him carefully layering the graphite, blending it with his fingers. It's almost like he's sculpting with the graphite. The grainy quality of the mark gives the scene a kind of raw, earthy feel. There’s a real sense of depth and space in the image, but also a simplicity that is very direct. I think there’s a quiet empathy in the work. Ultimately, it reminds me that art is a conversation across time. We look at this work now, and it speaks to us. I find myself thinking about other artists who have depicted laborers, and how each of them brings their unique perspective to the subject.