Dansen. Nachtvogel 1922

Henri Braakensiek made "Dansen. Nachtvogel" with graphite on paper. You know, when I look at the graphite marks, I imagine Braakensiek coaxing this image into being with a soft touch. It feels like the dancer is just emerging. I see the way the light is caught in those sketchy strokes, full of movement and lightness! I can feel a sense of the artist's breath in the push and pull of dark and light across the surface. And it's like this figure has broken free from the earth below with a graceful upward reach. I bet Braakensiek was deep in conversation with other artists while making this, looking at their moves, and asking, "How can I translate this feeling, this idea, into something new?" Painting, drawing – it’s all about being in that messy, beautiful, ongoing exchange. Like a dance!