Gezicht op de Invalides 1773 - 1843

Georges Michel rendered this sketch of the Invalides in pencil on paper. The very directness of this drawing embodies Michel's sensibility. Pencil allows for a responsiveness, with the ability to quickly capture a scene and the freedom to render it in tones ranging from light to dark, which are responsive to the artist's touch. Michel has used the pencil to create a stark contrast between the buildings and the sky, using hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create areas of light and shadow. The sketchiness of the lines suggests speed and spontaneity, yet they still give a sense of depth and space. The Invalides appear to float between the page and the artist’s perspective. The material and process perfectly complement Michel's artistic vision, which offers a view of the city that feels both real and dreamlike. It reminds us of the way that simple materials, skillfully used, can challenge traditional notions of what art should be.