Father of the Artist c. 1865 - 1870

Paul Cézanne made this drawing of his father with graphite on paper. It’s an intimate study, quickly rendered. Graphite is interesting, isn't it? It’s a form of carbon, the same stuff as diamonds, but it’s soft and leaves a dark mark with very little pressure. The artist is using this humble material to make multiple studies of his subject. Look closely, and you can see the varied strokes, light and dark. It feels immediate. The beauty of drawing lies in its directness. A pencil is not expensive, and paper even less so. Unlike painting, where you have to build up layers, and unlike sculpture, where you have to remove material to create form, drawing is simply a matter of addition. A direct trace of the artist’s hand. Through close observation, the artist builds up a portrait of his father. Through modest means, a great work of art.