Sketchbook 1946

This sketch by Hans Bellmer, probably made with graphite on paper, feels like a peek into the artist’s mind. The lines are so frantic and layered; it’s like watching a thought take shape, then dissolve, then reform again slightly differently. It’s artmaking as a process, not a fixed thing. The grid beneath the drawing gives it a sense of order, but the figure is anything but. There’s a real physicality to the way Bellmer uses the graphite, pressing hard in some areas, barely touching the paper in others. Look at the way the lines cluster and darken around the figure's torso, creating a sense of depth and weight. Then notice how they thin out and fade towards the edges, almost like the figure is evaporating into the background. Bellmer reminds me a bit of Philip Guston, another artist who wasn’t afraid to get messy and explore the darker corners of the human psyche. Ultimately, this drawing is a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be polished and perfect, sometimes it’s more interesting when it’s a little rough around the edges.