Head of a Girl 1896

Editor: This is Pierre Henri's "Head of a Girl." It's a pencil drawing, and what strikes me is how soft and delicate the lines are. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Looking at the pencilwork, I wonder about its accessibility to Henri's contemporaries. Pencil, often used for preparatory sketches, gains prominence here. Was this a comment on the art market, where finished paintings held higher value? What does it say about the perception of labor and skill? Editor: That's a really interesting way to consider it. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! Thinking about art as both object and process is so valuable.