Girl Straightening Her Hair 1909

Pekka Halonen made this drawing of a girl straightening her hair with pencil. The hatching marks he uses to build up the form are soft and create a sense of intimacy. It’s interesting to look at the way the artist uses line to define both the figure and the space around her. Notice how the lines behind her head create a sense of depth, almost like a halo. Then, look at the way he uses short, broken lines to describe her arm, as if he’s feeling his way around the form. The quality of the line varies: at times, it’s dark and bold; at others, it’s light and tentative. This variation gives the drawing a sense of movement and energy. This piece reminds me of the drawings of Paula Modersohn-Becker, who also explored themes of womanhood and domesticity in her art. Like Modersohn-Becker, Halonen seems interested in capturing the quiet moments of everyday life. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be grand or dramatic to be meaningful.