Cariatida 1935

Henri Catargi made this watercolour painting, Cariatida, sometime in the early part of the 20th century, maybe 1935. See how he uses these sketchy, almost nervous lines? It's like he's trying to capture the fleeting essence of the figure, not just her appearance. The way Catargi lays down the watercolor washes is so delicate. The yellow of her blouse is barely there, just a whisper of color. But then you notice the darker lines that define her form, the way he uses shadow to give her weight and presence. Look at the way he does the grey outline, there's something so fresh and immediate about it, like he's drawing with light. It's almost like a Cy Twombly drawing, but with a subtle warmth that's all its own. It reminds me that art isn't about perfection. It's about capturing a feeling, an idea, a moment in time.