Twee vrouwenhoofden 1762 - 1793

Jean François Janinet made this drawing of two women's heads, using a reddish-brown chalk on paper. The inherent qualities of chalk give the drawing a soft, almost blurred quality. Look closely and you can see how Janinet used the chalk in varying degrees of pressure to create a range of tones, from the light shadows on the women's faces to the darker outlines of their features. The hatching in the background gives depth to the drawing. Janinet was working within a long tradition of draftsmanship, where skill was valued for its own sake. It's worth considering the labor involved in mastering this medium; the years of practice required to achieve this level of control. It is interesting to note how this drawing, while seemingly simple, speaks volumes about the skill and dedication of the artist, challenging any distinctions between fine art and craft.