Sore Throat 1929

Peggy Bacon's drawing, 'Sore Throat,' captures a quiet moment, probably made with graphite on paper. The marks are delicate, almost tentative, like she's feeling her way through the scene. You can see the softness in the hatching, especially in the boy's sweater and the way the light catches his hair. The paper's texture peeks through, giving the drawing a sense of intimacy, like a page from a sketchbook. Look closely at the small plate he's holding. The marks there are darker, more concentrated. Is he picking at something? Or just lost in thought? That little detail really anchors the whole piece, giving it this quiet tension. Bacon's work often has this observational quality, and you can see her wry humor even in a simple scene like this. I'm reminded of the drawings of David Hockney, both capturing the everyday with such insightful ease. Art is just all about seeing, isn't it? And Bacon makes you feel like you're seeing with her.