Venus 1920

Boris Kustodiev made this drawing called Venus with crayon on paper, and it’s all about the energy of the line. You can see the push and pull in the varying thickness of the marks. It reminds us that artmaking is a process; it is about finding the image, not simply recreating it. Look at the way Kustodiev uses this crayon, how some strokes are light and airy, while others are dark and assertive. The tree on the right is more densely worked, built up of dark lines, which creates a grounded counterpoint to the figure's more exposed back. The marks are not overly precise but are more interested in capturing a sense of form and light. It has a boldness and intimacy, a kind of directness. Maybe this is like Manet, or even Klimt, in the way it suggests a sensuality without being overly sentimental or precious. It's this raw honesty that gives the work its unique energy.