Female nude 1923

Charles Despiau made this nude drawing in 1933, and it feels so gentle, so tentative. The artist is really feeling their way, letting the figure emerge slowly. It’s all about the lightness of touch. The drawing is built up of so many tiny, pale marks – it’s almost like the paper is breathing. You can see the texture of the paper coming through, which makes it feel really intimate, like we’re right there in the studio with him. Look at the soft curves of the hips and the way the light seems to catch the model's left shoulder. It’s a tender and honest portrayal, more about capturing a feeling than a likeness. This approach to the body is similar to that of Rodin, where beauty lies in the process of creation, with visible traces and layered interpretations. It's all about the journey, not the destination.