Bootjack c. 1936

Filippo Porreca made this drawing, Bootjack, sometime in the 20th century. He used graphite, charcoal and black crayon on paper. You know, there's something about the way Porreca renders this figure that feels both classical and super intimate. It’s like we're getting a glimpse behind the scenes, into the artist's process. I love the way he uses a range of techniques, from the detailed modeling of the body to the more schematic outlines. It's all about the layering. Look at the way he builds up the form with these soft, smudgy marks, especially around the head and torso. You can almost feel the weight and volume of the figure. And then there are these delicate, almost tentative lines that define the contours, like he's feeling his way around the shape. It reminds me of some of the figure drawings of Lucian Freud – that same sense of raw, unvarnished observation. Ultimately, it's a drawing that embraces process, doubt, and the messy reality of looking.