Girls Dancing, Harlem 1930

William L'Engle made this drawing, Girls Dancing, Harlem, on paper sometime in the early part of the 20th century. Look at how the figures are composed with such simple, fluid lines! I imagine L'Engle, pencil in hand, trying to capture the ephemeral joy of the dance. It's like he's sketching the air around the dancers, not just their bodies. You know, when you draw, the world unfolds stroke by stroke. Each line is a decision, a little gamble. I wonder, was he trying to capture the feeling of the music, the vibe of the Harlem scene? The musicians in the background look like they're just as swept up in the rhythm. The whole scene feels light and full of life, like a jam session, or a sketch for a bigger painting. It reminds me of other artists who were drawn to the energy of Harlem, like Jacob Lawrence. Artists, we're all just trying to catch a piece of life and put it on paper, hoping it still sings.