Seated Young Woman 1895

Georges Lemmen’s ‘Seated Young Woman’ at the Minneapolis Institute of Art is a study of form, captured in ink on paper. The composition is simple yet striking: two female figures, one seated and one reclining, dominate the frame. The artist used a monochromatic palette, relying on line and shadow to define shape. Notice the economy of line. Each stroke is deliberate, defining contours and suggesting depth with remarkable efficiency. Look at the varying weight of the lines – thick and bold in some areas, delicate and thin in others – creating a sense of movement and vitality. The figures themselves are not idealized, but rather presented with a sense of naturalism. This approach reflects the modernist tendency to break from traditional artistic conventions. The gaze is directed away from the viewer, inviting introspection. Ultimately, the drawing challenges the viewer to consider the interplay between representation and abstraction. The work remains a powerful example of the modernist exploration of form and expression.