Study for Mazas 1894

Maximilien Luce's 1894 drawing, "Study for Mazas," showcases the artist's mastery of form and detail. The work, currently housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, comprises a series of six distinct hand studies, rendered in graphite on paper. These studies, likely preparatory sketches for a larger painting, exhibit Luce's meticulous attention to anatomical structure, capturing the subtle variations of form and gesture in the human hand. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes light and shadow, adds depth and dimensionality to the drawing. The study's intimate scale invites viewers to consider the nuanced beauty and expressive power of this fundamental human element.