Nu. Étude de torsion du corps 1926

This is a charcoal drawing by Henri Matisse showing a reclining nude. I can imagine Matisse grappling with the paper, figuring out how to twist that body around in space. The drawing is all about trying to capture a sense of weight and volume. It's like he's feeling his way around the form, using these loose marks to suggest the curves and contours of the figure, and then setting her off against a floral, ornamental background. You see this kind of approach in other drawings and paintings by Matisse, that interest in simplification and flattening. It also makes me think about other artists who are wrestling with similar issues: How do you capture the essence of something in a way that's both true to life and expressive? How do you negotiate the space between representation and abstraction? I reckon these questions never get old!