Bearded Man Looking Up / Cloaked Figure with Raised Arms 

Alexandre Bida made this drawing of a bearded man in the 19th century using graphite on paper. The most striking thing is Bida's virtuosity with a simple pencil. Look at how he coaxes out the texture of the man’s hair and beard, using the graphite to build up shadows and convey a sense of volume. Bida’s light touch is visible in the delicate shading of the face and the subtle suggestion of the man’s gaze directed upwards. The artist has expertly wielded the pencil to capture not just the physical likeness, but also a sense of inner contemplation. Drawing might seem like a straightforward medium, but it requires a great deal of skill to achieve this level of expressiveness. By focusing on the simple act of mark-making, Bida invites us to appreciate the artist’s hand and the power of line to convey emotion and depth. This drawing celebrates the beauty of traditional techniques, elevating the status of craft.