Swan Song c. 1935 - 1940

Effim H. Sherman made this drawing, Swan Song, using what looks like graphite on paper. It looks like Sherman thought about artmaking as a process. The marks on the paper are tentative, the scene sketched rather than described. The beauty of Sherman's work is in its simplicity. The lines are thin and light, creating a sense of transparency. You can almost see through the figures, like ghosts of a crowd. Look at the man in the foreground, his back to us, hands clasped behind. See how the line that defines his coat also creates the space around him, a clever trick! The process is not concealed but celebrated in a way that resonates with the work of Guston. Like all good art, Swan Song invites you to bring your own story to the piece. It doesn't shout; it whispers, leaving space for your imagination to fill in the blanks.