Liggend naakt 1928

Pieter Willem van Baarsel made this drawing of a nude, presumably in the Netherlands, with graphite on paper. It's amazing how much information can be conveyed with so few lines. The approach feels quick, economical, like Baarsel is trying to capture a fleeting impression. I am interested in the way he has subtly implied the figure's volume and weight through the deft shading and cross-hatching. Take a look at the area around the figure's left shoulder, you can see how a few short, dark lines suggest the weight of the body pressing into the support, as well as the softer folds of skin. This, together with the use of tone, gives a sense of three-dimensionality. The work reminds me of the drawings of Egon Schiele; both artists are interested in the expressive potential of the human form, but where Schiele can be angular and confrontational, Baarsel is much softer and more tender. Ultimately, the drawing celebrates the beauty and sensuality of the human body in a way that feels both intimate and respectful.