Standing Nude 1915

Rik Wouters made this drawing using ink on paper, but exactly when is a bit of a mystery. Isn't it cool how a simple medium like ink can create such depth? It reminds me that art isn't just about fancy materials, it’s about seeing, feeling, and responding. Look at the way Wouters uses these bold, confident strokes to define the figure. The texture isn't just on the surface; it's like the energy of the gesture is still there, vibrating off the page. The density of the marks around the figure's head gives way to more spare marks toward the bottom, creating a sense of weight in the upper part of the drawing that somehow lightens as the figure descends. Wouters reminds me a bit of Matisse, who like Wouters, wasn't afraid to let the process show. It's like they're both saying, "Here's how I see the world, take it or leave it." Art is always a conversation, an ongoing experiment.