Unidentified Man 1916

Robert Henri dashed off this drawing of an unidentified man, using what looks like a graphite pencil on paper. I love how the lines here aren't precious, but are all about capturing the essence of the guy. The marks are quick, gestural, like Henri is thinking aloud with his pencil. It's all about the process, the act of seeing and translating that vision onto paper. Look at how the lines that describe his shirt seem to float around his body, they’re almost like a cloud. The weight and pressure of the pencil varies creating thick and thin lines; it’s a real record of the artist’s hand. It reminds me of Picasso's drawings – that same confidence and willingness to leave things unfinished. It's like a visual shorthand, leaving space for our imaginations to fill in the gaps. Art is always an invitation, not a declaration.