Sanctuary 1944

John Steuart Curry made this drawing called 'Sanctuary,' with graphite on paper. Can you imagine him drawing all this? The animals bunch together, seeking refuge. You see the rhythmic marks of the graphite, almost like the rain itself coming down on the page. What was Curry thinking as he drew each animal? I bet he was really feeling for them, wanting to show their strength and vulnerability all at once. I can imagine him pushing the graphite harder in certain areas to give weight, solidity. This piece reminds me of other artists who found beauty in the everyday, like Courbet. Artists are always looking, learning from each other, and adding their own voice to the mix. The way Curry uses simple marks to suggest so much feeling makes me think about how painting, how drawing, is just another way of having a conversation. And that conversation is never really over.