Studie van een gebeeldhouwd hoofd 1879

Louis Joseph Greuse created this drawing of a sculpted head, and it’s a piece that really makes you think about the relationship between different art forms. The medium is graphite on paper, humble materials that nonetheless allow for a careful study of form and light. Notice how the shading gives the sculpture volume and weight, almost as if we could reach out and touch it. Greuse’s work really exemplifies the intimacy of the hand-made, using just a simple pencil to capture the presence of the sculpture, and his process of drawing brings it to life on paper. Think about the labor involved, both in the original sculpture and in Greuse’s drawing. Each mark contributes to the overall effect, and the artist’s skill transforms simple materials into something much more evocative. It reminds us that craft and fine art aren’t so different after all; they both rely on a deep understanding of materials and processes.