Studie van een liggende vrouw, slapend op een bank 1892 - 1916

This line drawing of a sleeping woman on a bench was made by Rik Wouters. It’s simple, minimal almost, but full of energy. You can see how the artist made the work, the quick, spontaneous lines, the dark ink on the blank paper. I can imagine Wouters in his studio, quickly capturing a moment of rest. Maybe she was a friend who popped over for tea and then fell asleep on the couch? The artist is working fast, trying to get the essence of her pose, her stillness, before she wakes. I wonder if he was trying to show the emotional and psychological state of relaxation? Look at the way Wouters uses line to suggest form and space. Those bold, confident strokes create depth and volume, turning a simple sketch into something so evocative. It reminds me of Matisse's drawings – that same sense of freedom and immediacy. Artists are always in conversation with each other; it's a beautiful thing.