The Bath of Psyche

Pierre Jacques Cazes created this drawing, "The Bath of Psyche," with graphite on paper. Graphite is a material that’s been central to artmaking for centuries, and here, Cazes shows how much can be done with this humble stuff. The application is delicate, almost tentative; graphite allows for a very high degree of control, so the artist can vary the pressure and create precise marks on the page. The composition has a lightness that suits the graphite medium, giving the scene an ethereal quality, and a sense of movement. The oval shape is embraced by the composition, with an abundance of figures filling the frame, some floating freely at the top. This drawing shows that the power of art doesn’t necessarily depend on rare or expensive materials. With talent and imagination, the simplest of means can produce extraordinary results, proving that craft and fine art can be combined beautifully.