Doña Peppa Mattiocco 1886

John Peter Russell sketched Doña Peppa Mattiocco in Paris, probably using conte crayon on paper. This medium is a mixture of pigment, clay, and a binder, pressed into sticks - an industrial formulation of a traditional material, drawing chalk. Russell’s network of artists was wide and cosmopolitan, from Australia to Europe. He was well-connected with the avant-garde, including Van Gogh. So, while this portrait is rendered in a conventional academic style, it also has a modern sensibility. Look closely, and you can see the dynamism of Russell’s hand. He’s less concerned with polish or refinement, and more interested in capturing a likeness quickly, economically. This is where the material really comes to the fore. The conte crayon allowed for the build-up of tone, through hatching. This means the final work wasn’t about the perfection of line, but rather, an accrual of labor, an artistic process made visible. It’s a reminder that even a quick sketch has embedded within it the time and talent of the artist.