Grim Reaper Seated Among Headstones c. 1916 - 1918

Maximilien Luce made this drawing of the Grim Reaper with what looks like ink on paper. There’s a real sense of urgency to the marks, dashed off, as though Luce had to get this vision down quickly. The color is a muted brown. It almost feels like it's aged into that color. The lines feel raw and immediate, giving us a glimpse into the artist’s hand and mind. See how the figure of death sits slumped amongst the headstones, its scythe laying nearby, almost forgotten. Those marks above the figure’s head, could be clouds or something more turbulent, they add to the overall feeling of unease. It reminds me a little of Goya’s darker works, where the artist confronts mortality head-on. But in its sketchiness, it feels very modern, as though it’s less about a grand statement and more about a fleeting moment of contemplation. Art isn’t about providing answers. It’s about asking questions, and Luce leaves us with plenty to ponder.