Zittende Bacchante c. 1906

Henri Fantin-Latour made this drawing of a seated Bacchante sometime in the late 19th century using graphite on paper. I love how he’s captured her in this moment of quiet repose, almost like she’s catching her breath between dances. It feels like the artist is figuring things out in real-time, adjusting lines and tones, embracing the awkwardness and uncertainty. I can imagine him stepping back, squinting, then diving back in to add another layer of shading or refine a contour. The figure emerges from the paper with an almost sculptural presence, thanks to the subtle gradations of tone. Fantin-Latour was part of this amazing circle of artists, poets, and musicians. I feel like this drawing is part of that same spirit of experimentation and collaboration. It reminds me that art isn't made in a vacuum, it's an ongoing conversation across time.