Neus en mond 1758 - 1806

Jean-Baptiste Lucien created “Neus en mond” using graphite and possibly chalk on paper. This drawing shows the human face not as a field of expression, but a site of craft. The artist has used linear strokes to form the contours of one profile, and a subtle, yet confident use of shading in the other. You can see the amount of work required for a clear and accurate representation of form, with the hand of the artist visible in the application of graphite. These techniques are part of the long history of academic drawing, and are often seen as preparatory stages towards other artistic creations. But in this drawing, the study is the thing. Lucien asks us to consider the amount of effort and expertise that goes into producing an illusion of reality through the skillful manipulation of humble materials, blurring the line between technical exercise and fine art.