Kniender weiblicher Akt in Vorderansicht, das rechte Knie angezogen, den rechten Arm stützend c. 1924

This is a drawing of a kneeling female nude, made by Georg Kolbe. Kolbe was a master sculptor, so you might be surprised to see him working in such a delicate medium – just paper, pencil and wash. Look closely and you can see the artist’s hand at work, as he coaxes the figure into existence. First, a light graphite sketch, then the application of broad washes that give weight and volume. The choice of materials here is significant. Kolbe was not interested in a highly-finished surface. Instead, the raw quality of the paper and the fluidity of the wash allow the figure to emerge from the ground. The beauty of this drawing lies in its process. Kolbe has let the qualities of the materials speak for themselves, celebrating the inherent expressiveness of paper, graphite, and wash. It’s a reminder that the art of making is as important as the final image.