Portret van Zus met gesloten ogen c. 1930 - 1940

Otto Verhagen made this sketch of a woman with graphite on paper. Graphite, derived from the Greek word graphein meaning "to write/draw", has been used for centuries for writing and drawing because of its soft texture, which allows it to leave marks on paper or other surfaces. Its material properties, such as its ability to create varying tones depending on pressure and layering, make it ideal for quick studies like this one. Here, the artist uses varying pressure and layering of the graphite to build up the form of the sitter, giving a sense of volume and depth. This drawing on paper serves as a direct and intimate record of the artist's process. The simplicity of the materials and the lack of elaborate tools emphasize the immediacy of the sketch. The artist engages with the basic principles of artmaking to create a powerful portrait, underscoring the importance of material and process in understanding art.