Woman with a Harp 1906

Albert Belleroche created this lithograph of a Woman with a Harp with a crayon, rubbing it, blurring it, and coaxing it to life. I can imagine him drawing and redrawing the main figure, the beautiful woman, trying to capture a likeness of the human form. I can imagine him being dissatisfied with the face, wiping it away, and starting again. I love how the surface of the dress reflects the light, creating a sense of volume and depth. It’s as though the dress is a sculpture, emerging from the shadows. The soft, muted tones create an intimate and dreamlike atmosphere, a sense of a quiet moment captured in time. The lithograph reminds me of the work of other artists like Edgar Degas, who were also interested in capturing fleeting moments of everyday life through a similar approach. Artists are always learning from one another and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. The nature of artmaking means embracing the unknown and allowing for multiple interpretations.