Vrouw, naar boven kijkend 1848 - 1927

August Allebé made this drawing of a woman looking upwards, using black and red chalk on paper. Chalk is a humble material, literally grounded in the earth. Its softness makes it ideal for studies like this one, which can be quickly executed. The texture of the paper is also critical. You can see how the chalk catches on the surface, creating a broken, granular effect that conveys the fall of light on the woman's face and clothing. Allebé was a master of capturing fleeting expressions and gestures, using the immediacy of chalk to convey a sense of life and movement. His work reminds us that drawing, often seen as a preliminary stage, can be a powerful medium in its own right. It reflects a direct connection between the artist's hand and the subject, bridging the realms of fine art and the simple act of mark-making.