Sketches of medieval defensive structures and male figures with turbans 1861 - 1867

Józef Simmler created this drawing, Sketches of medieval defensive structures and male figures with turbans, using graphite pencil. The composition is a study of form and space, featuring sketches of architectural elements intermixed with human figures. Simmler's use of line is particularly striking. Notice how he employs thin, tentative lines to delineate complex structures, creating a sense of depth and volume. The sketches of the men with turbans are rendered with a similar economy of line, focusing on the play of light and shadow to convey their forms. This juxtaposition of architectural and figural studies reveals a preoccupation with proportion and scale. How do these architectural forms, designed for defense and enclosure, relate to the figures? This creates a dynamic tension between the individual and the built environment. These studies prompt us to consider how we perceive and interact with our surroundings.