Luonnos maalaukseen Haavoittunut soturi hangella 1880, puolivartalo, kasvot, sormet 1879 - 1880

Helene Schjerfbeck created this sketch around 1880 with graphite on paper. Here, the artist uses the straightforward medium of pencil to explore a figure and their emotional weight. Graphite, a readily available material, allows for quick and immediate mark-making. Schjerfbeck uses this to her advantage, rendering light and shadow with hatching and cross-hatching to define the planes of the figure’s face. What’s striking is how much feeling she evokes with such simple means. The slight pressure of the pencil on paper is enough to capture the vulnerability of the wounded warrior, allowing us to focus on the emotional depth conveyed through her subject. By choosing such a humble material, Schjerfbeck democratizes the artistic process, reminding us that powerful expression doesn't always require elaborate techniques or precious materials. It's a testament to her skill and a reminder of the accessibility of art-making.