Seated 1930

Mikuláš Galanda made this nude drawing, ‘Seated’ using pastel on paper. Pastels offer an immediacy and intimacy; the artist's hand is ever-present in the soft, powdery strokes. Each mark builds up to create a sense of form, light, and shadow. The pastel medium, with its velvety texture, lends itself well to capturing the subtle contours of the figure, while also conveying a sense of vulnerability. Galanda’s choice of pastel reflects a deliberate engagement with traditional techniques. Unlike the slick surfaces of oil painting or the graphic precision of printmaking, pastels offer a directness that emphasizes the act of drawing itself. This may reflect a tension between the fine arts and the more intimate sphere of craft. Galanda presents the female form with sensitivity, using delicate lines and muted tones to convey both physical presence and emotional depth. Ultimately, ‘Seated’ is a reminder of the expressive potential inherent in simple materials, and of the skilled labor required to bring them to life.