Siddende kvindelig model, vendt mod venstre. 1907 - 1910

This quick sketch of a female nude was made by Othon Friesz, likely in the early 20th century, using ink on paper. It’s a very direct, efficient drawing, and in that sense the medium and the message are really one and the same. The stark contrast of the ink on the white paper gives the drawing its bold, immediate impact. You can almost see Friesz’s hand moving across the page, quickly capturing the essence of the figure. The cross-hatching and the density of the lines create a sense of volume, a sculptural quality, despite the work being on a two-dimensional surface. This kind of study is often seen as preliminary, a step on the way to a more finished painting. Yet, the rawness of the medium and the process gives the sketch its own unique power. It reminds us that art isn't always about polished surfaces or complex narratives. Sometimes, it’s about the simple act of looking and the immediate expression of what you see. It puts the labor of observation front and center.