Crepe Bonnet c. 1938

Francis Law Durand made this drawing of a "Crepe Bonnet" at an unknown date using graphite on paper. I love graphite; the way it smudges and shines. You get such a range with just one material. Here, Durand focuses on the textures, the way the light falls on the rippled fabric of the bonnet. The drawing is so precise, but it's also soft. Look at how the lines blend and blur, especially around the edges of the bonnet and ribbons, creating a kind of atmospheric haze. The weave of the crepe is meticulously rendered, giving the bonnet a tactile quality. You can almost feel the delicate, slightly rough texture of the material. It reminds me a bit of the drawings of Vija Celmins, who also uses graphite to create these incredibly detailed, almost photographic images of everyday objects. Both artists share a fascination with the subtle nuances of light and shadow, and the way these elements can transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.