Standing Female Nude c. 1940

This quick drawing of a standing nude was made by Franz Kline. Look at this single, continuous line that dances across the page. It doesn't seem to stop or pause, flowing from the head, down the body, and around the legs. I wonder what Kline was thinking as his hand moved across the paper, guided by his eye and memory. Was he trying to capture the essence of the figure with as little as possible? What happens if he removes one of the lines? It reminds me of other painters who were equally interested in the simplicity of line, like Matisse or even Picasso. These artists are in conversation with one another, challenging and inspiring. Each one tries to find a new way of representing the body, a new way of seeing, and a new way of drawing. Each with their own language.