Les Pêcheurs 1931

Pavel Tchelitchew made this drawing, Les Pêcheurs, in 1931, using ink on paper. The sepia tones give it an antique feel, like an old photograph, or memory. The art of drawing is all about the process: a direct connection between the eye, the hand, and the paper, unmediated. Looking closely, you see how Tchelitchew uses the ink in different ways, some lines are bold, defining the figures, while others are light and sketchy, creating a sense of movement and transparency. The texture of the paper is also important. It’s not perfectly smooth, so the ink catches in places, adding to the sense of depth and atmosphere. Notice how the nets are drawn with such care, each knot and line is visible, creating a complex pattern. It’s almost like a spiderweb, trapping the figures within its delicate structure. Tchelitchew’s work, particularly his later surrealist paintings, explores similar themes of the body, space, and perception. Think also of Picasso’s drawings, there’s a shared interest in deconstructing and reassembling the human form. Art is all about seeing, thinking, and feeling in new ways. It’s not about fixed meanings, but about embracing the unknown.