A nude study of a woman 

Herbert James Draper made this nude study of a woman with graphite on paper, sometime between 1880 and 1920. At first glance, the drawing may seem like just a preparatory sketch. The lines are faint, with an obvious grid system. The composition doesn't fill the page; the artist’s focus was clearly on the figure’s face and arm. Yet, the visible construction lines and minimal shading reveal Draper’s process. The graphite marks have a directness and immediacy, preserving the movement of his hand across the page. The visible labor involved is a reminder that even seemingly effortless works of art are the result of intense study and practice. This drawing highlights the skill required to capture the human form, and challenges our traditional notions of what constitutes a finished work of art. It asks us to value the process of creation as much as the final product.