Man die een krant leest c. 1930 - 1938

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this drawing of a man reading a newspaper, with ink, and likely in a cafe or public space. I love the way the artist uses line here - so economical, like a cartoonist or even a calligrapher, finding the most efficient route to describe a form. You can see how the simple marks describing the eyes and eyebrows of the central figure convey the concentration of reading, while the other faces and hands float around in the background, almost like thoughts or other people in the space. The texture of the paper and the crispness of the ink create an intimate experience. Look how the lines depicting the newspaper seem to vibrate with energy, the squiggles and marks conjuring the chaos of information, headlines, and advertisements. It reminds me a little of Picasso's line drawings, pared down to the essential gesture, capturing a fleeting moment in time. Art isn't about perfection, it’s about expression, and this drawing embodies that spirit beautifully.