Lezende Joanna Lion Cachet-Cordes 1943 - 1944

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this drawing, "Lezende Joanna Lion Cachet-Cordes," with graphite on paper. Look at the lightness of touch, the sureness of line. You get the sense that the artist knows his subject well, maybe a wife or a sister? The intimacy of the study really shines through. I can imagine Lion Cachet sitting across from Joanna, sketchbook in hand, trying to capture the essence of her concentration as she reads. It’s a quiet moment, and the sketch feels like a glimpse into their shared world. The pencil work is delicate, almost tentative, as if he’s trying not to disturb her. I love the hatching that describes the form and volume of the figure. The varying pressure and the layering create a sense of depth. The soft shadows convey the fall of light, suggesting the time of day, maybe a sun-drenched afternoon. Drawing is like thinking, a direct line between eye, hand, and the subject.