Ialingédé 1924

Alexandre Jacovleff made this drawing of Ialingédé, a man from the Banda people, with charcoal in 1924. Look closely at the face. It's not just a portrait, it's an experience. The artist really knew how to use charcoal. It's soft, but strong, creating depth in the face. I'm drawn to how Jacovleff uses the charcoal to capture the light. See the smudges around the edges? They make the figure almost float off the page. It’s kind of magical how the artist uses a simple material to show us the man's presence, his strength, but also a kind of vulnerability. The drawing reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz's drawings, full of empathy and understanding. Art isn't just about what you see, it's about feeling and connecting.