Kvindeportræt 1838 - 1848

This is Johan Thomas Lundbye's "Kvindeportræt," a portrait likely made in the 1800s with ink on paper. The simplicity of the materials belies the artist's skillful hand. Notice how Lundbye coaxes form from the page with an economy of means. It's just ink and paper, but look closely at the density of the lines, and the way they create light and shadow. Lundbye masterfully manipulates the flow of ink to create a sense of depth and volume. Drawings like this are often considered preliminary, a means to an end. But let's consider it complete in itself. The visible process becomes the point, a direct connection to the artist's touch, and to the person portrayed. Appreciating the nuance of its making allows us to move beyond traditional hierarchies of art, and value the intimacy of a sketch.