The Ploughman 

Georges Seurat created 'The Ploughman', a drawing measuring 34 by 26.2 centimeters. The image presents a figure engaged in labor, rendered through a dense network of lines. The composition emphasizes the structure and the geometry of the figure. Notice how Seurat uses light and shadow. He modulates the tonal values to sculpt the form. The figure is illuminated against a darker background, creating a contrast that highlights the contours. This use of chiaroscuro is not merely descriptive but also structural. It defines the planes and volumes. Seurat's systematic application of drawing suggests a concern with scientific principles and order. The drawing isn't just a depiction of a ploughman; it is a structured investigation into the properties of light, form, and composition. This echoes broader philosophical concerns with how the world can be understood through methodical analysis and visual representation. This tension between observation and system is at the core of what makes this seemingly simple drawing so compelling.