Ovid's "The Art of Love" ("L'art d'aimer" d'Ovide) 1935

Aristide Maillol made this drawing, "Ovid's 'The Art of Love'," with crayon, and you can tell he’s really feeling out the form. It’s all about touch. Look at how the lines build up, creating volume and shadow. There’s a real sensitivity to the weight of the body, the way the light falls across her back. Maillol isn't just drawing what he sees; he’s trying to capture the essence of her being. The crayon marks are like caresses, almost reverent. Notice that the lines are hatched and layered, not just to show tone, but to describe the contours of the body, wrapping around her form. It reminds me a bit of Rodin, the way he used line to create a sense of movement and vitality. Both of them understood that drawing isn't just about representation; it’s about feeling and communicating that feeling through the simplest of means. It’s an ongoing conversation, a dance between artist, subject, and viewer.