Sketch for Woodblock "Bather" II 

Rockwell Kent created this sketch for Woodblock "Bather" II using graphite on laid paper. The choice of graphite, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material, speaks to the work's function as a preparatory sketch rather than a finished artwork. The sketch is not just a means to an end; it embodies a sense of immediacy and the artist's direct engagement with the subject. You can almost feel Kent's hand moving across the paper, defining the contours of the bather’s muscular form and the rhythmic waves. Woodblock printing is a labor-intensive process. Kent's initial sketch serves as a blueprint that will require hours of carving, inking, and printing. This is a craft-based practice, tied to wider social issues of labor and production. The sketch itself offers a glimpse into the artist's process, and it is imbued with the potential energy of the finished woodblock print. By considering the material, the making process, and the broader context, we can appreciate the full meaning of Kent's sketch, bridging the perceived gap between fine art and craft.