Circus Rehearsal 1939

Editor: This is Joseph Rajer's "Circus Rehearsal," a graphite and pencil drawing from 1939. It's quite dense and theatrical. The figures almost seem crammed into the frame. What do you see in the composition that stands out? Curator: The artist uses a consistent, almost uniform, tonality. Notice the distribution of dark and light values – how Rajer meticulously builds up the form by layering strokes of graphite. This produces the overall tenebristic effect in the drawing. Are you responding to that darkness when you say that it feels dense? Editor: I think so, yes. The sameness in the texture and value makes it challenging to discern each figure right away, contributing to my sense of compression. Can you expand on this technique of value control in the image? Curator: Of course. Consider how the values unify the figures across the image. While a clear focal point isn’t immediately apparent, the interplay of light and shadow invites the eye to explore every portion of the composition. Note that the medium of graphite allows Rajer to build layer upon layer of luminosity, thus enhancing the illusion of depth and dimension. What purpose do you think Rajer achieved by employing this particular technique in rendering the "Circus Rehearsal"? Editor: Perhaps to emphasize the chaotic and fantastical atmosphere of the circus behind the scenes? The overall uniformity in shading might flatten the depth and visually suggest all that activity happening in one instant. Curator: Exactly. And in so doing, Rajer's technique speaks to the circus as a theater, in and of itself. It highlights the interplay between figures and, in this case, emphasizes the two-dimensional surface of the work. It becomes a testament to his skill in manipulating a seemingly simple medium. Editor: This makes me appreciate the drawing even more. I’ll definitely pay more attention to value and texture in drawings going forward! Curator: Indeed, paying close attention to the technical choices of an artist such as value or tone often uncovers compelling new layers of appreciation.