Portret Boligłowy z Krzesławic 1899

Leon Wyczółkowski created this pastel drawing of Boligłowy z Krzesławic, employing a medium known for its immediacy and softness. Pastels, essentially pure pigment bound with a bit of gum or resin, offer a directness of application, bridging drawing and painting. You see this clearly in the velvety textures and the subtle gradations of color across the sitter's face and clothing. Wyczółkowski likely built up the image through layers of softly smudged pastel, fixing them to the paper to prevent dusting. The very process of pastel work invites a certain intimacy; the artist's hand is so close to the surface, almost caressing it. This tactile quality translates to the finished image, conveying a sense of the sitter's physical presence and the artist’s patient observation. The choice of pastel, rather than oil paint, speaks to a conscious decision to embrace informality and a handmade aesthetic, elevating the status of drawing to that of a finished work.