De Garde 1878 - 1938

This drawing, "De Garde," was made by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst using charcoal on paper. It's all about the mark making. You can see the process, the smudge, the drag, the quick, almost violent strokes. I love how the artist lets the charcoal do its thing, creating this shadowy, intense face. Look at the texture around the mouth and mustache. It’s rough, smudged, almost like the face is emerging from the darkness. There's so much emotion packed into these simple marks; the uncertainty and the weight of responsibility. I’m reminded of Käthe Kollwitz, who also used charcoal to explore themes of grief, but there’s a raw, expressive quality here that feels very particular to Holst. Art isn't about perfection. It’s about the conversation, the push and pull, the endless possibilities.