Leland Bell Reading I 1951

Jean Helion captured this image of Leland Bell reading, using what looks like ink and charcoal. The drawing emerges through a balance of heavy blacks and lighter strokes, giving the impression of something solid built from thin air. You can almost feel Helion’s hand moving across the page, building up Bell's form with loose, expressive marks. Look at the way the charcoal smudges around the edges, like the figure is both there and not there. The lines describing the newspaper have a particular energy that animates the whole composition. The colour palette is earthy and restrained, echoing the tradition of realist painting while also hinting at the transience of everyday moments. Helion was influenced by artists like Léger and Picasso but carved his own path with a focus on urban life and the human figure. His works are a reminder that art is always in conversation with itself, building on what came before.