The Painter Jean François Millet 

James Ensor made this portrait of Jean François Millet using graphite on paper. Graphite, though a humble material, lends itself to a remarkable range of effects. Look closely, and you'll notice the variations in pressure and density of the marks. Ensor coaxes out light and shadow, mass and volume, through simple gradations of tone. The direction of the strokes also matters: see how they follow the contours of Millet's face and beard, lending a sense of depth and texture. This is an image built up through labor, a multitude of controlled marks carefully laid down. Ensor’s choice of such a direct medium reflects Millet's own emphasis on the realities of work, especially agricultural labor. Ensor elevates a working-class hero of the art world, using a medium that is itself associated with study, and careful craft. Ultimately, this drawing reminds us that all art begins with simple materials, and a commitment to the act of making.