Studieblad met zittende vrouw en kinderen, te Dereköy in Turkije 1814 - 1860

Auguste Raffet created this study sheet with a seated woman and children in Dereköy, Turkey, using pen in brown and brush in gray. The eye is immediately drawn to the arrangement of figures across the sheet, a compositional layout that feels both deliberate and spontaneous. The use of line, particularly in the clothing, serves to define form while also creating a sense of movement. There's a subtle interplay between the defined figures and the more spectral sketches, challenging our perception of solidity and presence. Raffet's control of the medium is evident in his ability to suggest depth and texture with minimal strokes, offering us a study in contrasts – between light and shadow, presence and absence. The strategic positioning of each figure and its relation to the others offers a glimpse into the power dynamics within the depicted community. Ultimately, this work invites us to look beyond the mere representation of figures and to consider the structural elements at play – the lines, shapes, and their arrangement – as carriers of meaning.