Portret van een vrouw c. 1890

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this portrait of a woman using graphite on paper. Graphite, essentially pencil lead, is a humble material, yet capable of great subtlety. Cachet coaxes a full range of tonal values from it here. The softness of the graphite allows for smudging and blending, creating the gentle gradations of light and shadow that define the woman’s form. You can see the tooth of the paper coming through, creating a visual texture that enlivens the surface. The artist no doubt chose the paper for its particular responsiveness to the graphite, its ability to both grab the material and allow it to be manipulated. This directness of process aligns this drawing with the world of craft, where the inherent qualities of materials are celebrated. By focusing on the possibilities of graphite and paper, Cachet elevates a seemingly simple sketch to a work of quiet beauty.