Portrait of A.S. Neverov 1926

Boris Kustodiev drew this portrait of A.S. Neverov in 1926, and what strikes me is its simplicity, its directness of line. The drawing isn't trying to hide anything. You can see the hatching, the way Kustodiev builds up tone with these tiny, energetic strokes. Look at the shadow under Neverov's chin – it's just a mass of tiny lines, but they create a real sense of depth. And the way he suggests the texture of the suit, with just a few quick marks, is masterful. It's like he's saying, "Here's the process, here's how it's done," which for me is what art is all about. This reminds me a little of some of the more intimate portrait drawings by Käthe Kollwitz. Both artists share this incredible ability to convey emotion through the simplest of means, proving that sometimes, less really is more.