Studie af draperet kvinde, hvilende på højre arm 1907

Othon Friesz made this study of a draped woman with ink on paper. It’s a sketch, really, all about capturing the pose, the fall of the fabric, with a real sense of speed. Look at the confidence of those dark, emphatic lines, they don't mess around. See how they build up the form, but also allow for a kind of ambiguity, where line can stand for both the edge of a figure, and the shadow it casts. It's a good example of how mark-making can become a form of thinking. Notice the difference in weight between the assured, firm lines of the figure and the pale shading beneath. The contrast gives the figure a solidity and presence, as if she is emerging from a dream. For me, this piece has an affinity with the work of Matisse, both in its subject matter and in the economy and expressiveness of the line. Ultimately, it reminds us that art is a conversation, a process of call and response.