Female (Pushkin) image 1975

Hryhorii Havrylenko made this drawing, Female (Pushkin), with ink on paper, though we don't know exactly when. What strikes me about this work is the artist's use of line. It's all about capturing the essence of form, rather than filling it in. Look at how the parallel lines define the shadows on her neck and face. Each stroke feels deliberate, yet the overall effect is light and airy. The texture of the paper peeks through, adding another layer of depth. The simplicity reminds me of Matisse's line drawings. There's a similar economy of means, a focus on the essential. It makes you wonder what Havrylenko was thinking, what he wanted to capture in this quick study. Was it just a fleeting moment, or something more profound? Maybe it’s about the conversation that all artists have with each other, across time and space.