Sleeping Face 1902

Frantisek Kupka made this drawing, Sleeping Face, using what looks like red chalk or sanguine. I can imagine Kupka working on this, gently coaxing the image out of the paper with soft strokes. It has a dreamy feel, and you get the sense that he didn't want to disturb the peaceful mood of the subject. Look at how the lines delicately trace the curve of her nose and lips, and how they capture the shadow and light playing across her face. The drawing feels so intimate. It's interesting to see Kupka doing representational work like this. He’s mostly known for his abstract paintings, but it seems that he was trying to push the boundaries of what painting could be while also exploring more traditional subjects and techniques. Like a lot of artists, he was probably in dialogue with the history of art, experimenting with different styles and approaches. It's like he's whispering to us, inviting us to share in this quiet moment of rest.