Mujer con calabaza 1917

Saturnino Herrán rendered Mujer con calabaza, woman with pumpkin, in 1917 using crayon and pencil. It's a beauty, and you can see how Herrán embraces the fluidity of his medium, with these soft, smoky, blended hues. The texture feels almost velvety, doesn't it? The way he layers those strokes, especially in the woman's blouse, creates depth and a sense of movement. Speaking of the blouse, check out the details. It's these small, repetitive floral motifs that give the piece a certain energy. And how about that pumpkin? The warm, golden glow contrasting with the cooler tones of the background is just so satisfying. I love the mark making, how Herrán manages to capture the roundness of the pumpkin with just a few strokes, yet there's so much detail in the way the light hits it. Herrán was deeply interested in the people and culture of Mexico, and this piece really speaks to that. The tenderness of the portrait calls to mind the work of Käthe Kollwitz, who sought to capture the dignity and suffering of everyday people.