Studieblad met neuzen en monden 1732 - 1776

Editor: We're looking at "Studieblad met neuzen en monden," or "Study Sheet with Noses and Mouths," a pencil drawing by Gilles Demarteau made sometime between 1732 and 1776. The artist focused solely on the features of the nose and mouth, which look very meticulously planned. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I observe a fascinating exploration of form. Notice the meticulous attention to the structure of the nose—the interplay of light and shadow defines its volume, creating a dynamic tension on the paper. Observe the lines themselves. How do they shift and change in pressure to give dimension? Editor: So, it's not necessarily about WHO is being drawn, but HOW? Curator: Precisely. The subject becomes secondary. Demarteau's use of hatching and stippling generates a sense of three-dimensionality. This creates variations on the same structural form and reveals a subtle artistic process that should be appreciated. Note the repeated numerical inscriptions and text surrounding each drawing as further clues to the system employed here. Editor: It's like dissecting a face, seeing the components separately. Curator: Indeed. And further understanding artistic process: We see the parts that constitute the whole. Demarteau is concerned with line, shading, and the representation of volume, not with emotional expression, narrative, or portraiture, for example. How does his approach help guide our eye? Editor: I initially focused on the lack of a full face, but now I appreciate the focused rendering of the individual features and the lines. Curator: The focus then rests on the skill and method, reducing any sentimentality on the surface. It exemplifies formalist values. Editor: Thanks. Looking at this piece with that lens opens up an entirely new way to understand the choices Demarteau made. Curator: My pleasure. Exploring the artist’s decisions provides new interpretations.