Study n.d.

John Hayter created this untitled study with graphite on paper, now held at the Art Institute of Chicago. At first glance, the scene seems spontaneous, a flurry of lines capturing a fleeting moment. Yet, a closer look reveals Hayter's calculated composition, carefully balancing light and shadow to draw the eye. The characters are arranged around the fountain, their forms emerging from the paper’s surface with varying degrees of completion. This technique creates a sense of depth and movement, drawing us into the scene. Here, Hayter uses the contrast between the defined figures in the foreground and the gestural figures behind, to construct a dynamic narrative space. It’s as though the artwork invites us to complete the story, to fill in the gaps left by the artist. Hayter's conscious interplay between presence and absence invites an ongoing dialogue. It underscores that meaning is not fixed, but rather emerges through the active engagement of the viewer.