The Pleasure of Being Alone 1939

This graphite drawing is by Julio De Diego, who made it sometime in the 20th century. The monochromatic palette gives it a timeless, dreamlike quality, like an image surfacing from the depths of the unconscious. I imagine De Diego hunched over this piece, coaxing out the forms with delicate strokes. What was going through his mind as he rendered this scene of solitary contemplation? The figure seems lost in thought, perhaps reveling in the quietude of his own company. The contrast between the smooth skin of the figure and the rough texture of the broken sculpture is striking, heightening the emotional resonance of the piece. The way De Diego uses shading creates a tangible sense of depth and volume. It reminds me of other artists who explored themes of isolation and introspection, like Giorgio de Chirico. Artists are constantly echoing and riffing off each other’s ideas across time.