Toeschouwers bij drie olifanten c. 1930

Carel Adolph Lion Cachet made this drawing of people looking at three elephants, it’s a study really, just a simple drawing in pencil on paper. You know, when I look at this sketch, I’m struck by how little you need to suggest so much. With just a few lines, Cachet captures the heft of the elephants and the curiosity of the crowd. I love the way the lines are tentative, searching, as if the artist is thinking through the image as he draws. The texture of the paper peeks through the graphite, giving the drawing a light, airy feel. Take the elephant on the right, for example. See how the trunk is suggested with just a single, curved line? It’s almost like a shorthand for “elephant trunk,” but it works so well. It reminds me of the work of Cy Twombly, in the way that he could create a whole world with just a few scribbles. Ultimately, this drawing celebrates the joy of looking, of seeing, and of capturing a fleeting moment in time.