Squatting Nude 

Curator: Rik Wouters’s “Squatting Nude”, a drawing rendered with stark lines, immediately strikes me with its almost aggressive simplicity. Editor: Aggressive? I see vulnerability in that raw application of ink. There's no coyness here, only honest representation. Think about the context – what kind of studio space allowed for such candid observation, who commissioned the work, and how would the original audience react to it? Curator: I’m captivated by the calligraphic quality. Wouters distills the form to these bold, almost abstract strokes. The weight and balance, the distribution of positive and negative space—it's a fascinating formal study. What do you make of the blank paper surrounding the figure, how is that affecting your visual reading? Editor: I think the negative space around it speaks volumes, right? It hints at a detachment, an observation from afar, while highlighting labor, since producing drawings consumes time, ink, paper. Where do you imagine this paper coming from? What do you think about this particular one being chosen? Curator: Intriguing. It challenges traditional artistic labor as such paper was cheap, yet useful to quickly draft ideas and figures... but in contrast, look how expertly the lines create volume. The curvature of the back, the weight of the thighs...it’s economical and highly effective in capturing the female form. Editor: Exactly. The way the figure grounds itself creates a narrative beyond mere observation. Consider the conditions of women working in that era, particularly in the arts and this drawing becomes so evocative about the status quo! Wouters doesn't idealize, he acknowledges the weight, the reality, the material circumstances of a life. Curator: An insightful reading, emphasizing the real over the ideal. For me, the focus is ultimately on Wouters' command of line and form and how well that evokes feeling. Editor: Yes, and thinking about those who produced these strokes is vital. This isn't just about art; it’s about the story of its creation and the person in front of him.