Caricatures 

Albert Edelfelt created these caricatures using watercolor and ink on paper. The fluid nature of watercolor allows for spontaneous washes of color, seen here in the abstract blocks at the top of the sheet. These swatches create a vibrant, almost playful contrast to the more deliberate ink sketches below. Notice how Edelfelt uses the qualities of ink to define the contours of his subjects, emphasizing their distinct features with quick, economical lines. The paper itself provides a neutral ground, allowing the immediacy of the artist's hand to take center stage. The choice of these materials speaks to a practice rooted in observation and improvisation. Watercolor and ink are relatively accessible, suggesting a mode of production that values spontaneity over meticulous refinement. In this sense, Edelfelt bridges the gap between formal portraiture and the informal, everyday practice of sketching. It highlights the value of the preliminary, and the uninhibited freedom of expression.