Nude 1975

Hryhorii Havrylenko made this drawing of a nude sometime in the 20th century, most likely with ink on paper. Look at the economy of the line here. With just a few strokes, Havrylenko captures the contours of the body, the curve of a shoulder, the gentle swell of the breast. I bet he drew it quickly, confidently, maybe in one sitting. Each line feels essential, pared down to its most basic form, like a visual haiku. I wonder what Havrylenko was thinking as he drew. Was he interested in capturing the likeness of his model, or in exploring the abstract qualities of line and form? Did he want to share his creative process with the world? In any case, this simple drawing speaks volumes about the power of observation, and the ability of the artist to create something beautiful and moving with the barest of means.