Lezende Joanna Lion Cachet-Cordes c. 1935 - 1940

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this drawing of Lezende Joanna Lion Cachet-Cordes with pen on paper. The frenetic hatching and cross-hatching give the work a great sense of urgency. I mean, look at the way he renders the hair, it's almost like a dark, scribbled cloud! The density of line suggests the physical act of drawing, the artist’s hand moving rapidly across the page. It’s all about process. Notice how the varying pressure and speed create a dynamic surface, full of tonal variation despite the limited palette. The area around the sitter’s head is particularly interesting. The lines are more concentrated, creating a sense of shadow and depth. The marks aren't necessarily descriptive, but they evoke the mood, the atmosphere, the feeling of a person deeply engrossed in thought or in a book. Reminds me a little of Matisse's line drawings, economical and free. Line becomes form, form becomes feeling, and we’re left with the ineffable magic of art.