Calla Lilies (recto) 1927

Pavel Tchelitchew made this drawing of calla lilies in 1922, using ink on paper. Look closely at the bold and gestural strokes he has employed. The stark contrast and interplay of light and shadow brings the forms to life, capturing the elegance and simplicity of the flower. The artist has wielded the ink with a calligraphic quality, defining edges and suggesting textures, rendering depth and volume with only a few deftly placed marks. Consider the economy of means, the artist has employed a material so easily available to such expressive effect. Think about the cultural significance of drawing as an accessible art form. By employing it here, Tchelitchew is not only representing the beauty of nature, but also elevating the status of humble materials and everyday processes, reminding us of the potential for art in the simplest of things.