Two Male Figures: Study for "The Good Samaritan" 1918

Charles Haslewood Shannon made this study for "The Good Samaritan" using pencil on grey paper. The monochromatic palette really emphasises the artist’s approach to mark making. It's all about the line here, right? Looking closely, the material aspects are really interesting. You can see how Shannon is trying to understand the fall of light on the body. There's something about that upper arm, the way it fades in and out of the grey, that gives it real weight and volume. The lines aren't just outlines; they describe shape, but also shadow. You get a sense of the physical presence of these men, even though it's just a study. It's not about perfection, but about the process of seeing and representing. Shannon's work feels like it's in conversation with artists like Degas, who were also interested in the body in motion and the beauty of the imperfect line. It’s all about that ongoing artistic dialogue, embracing the ambiguity and multiple ways of seeing.