Madame Hessel in an Interior c. 1910

Édouard Vuillard made this drawing of Madame Hessel in an interior using graphite on paper. Vuillard’s approach to mark-making here reminds us that artmaking is a process, a dance between intention and accident. Look at the flurry of lines around Madame Hessel, capturing a sense of her presence rather than a photographic likeness. The texture of the paper becomes part of the image; the graphite catches on the tooth, creating a subtle, shimmering effect. Notice the density of marks around the figure, how they build up to define her form and then dissolve into the surrounding space. It is a delicate balance, a back-and-forth between presence and absence. The marks are loose, almost scribbled, but they come together to create a cohesive image. Vuillard's drawing recalls the intimate, domestic scenes of Pierre Bonnard. Both artists shared an interest in capturing the quiet moments of everyday life, finding beauty in the mundane. This piece is like a visual whisper, inviting us to lean in and listen closely, revealing its secrets slowly, over time.