Le Jazz c. 1967

Romare Bearden made this drawing of jazz musicians with pencil on paper, just a few lines describing a whole world of music. Look at the linear quality of the drawing. The marks are so simple. You can see how the artist has used a light, economical touch to capture the essence of each figure and their instruments. I can imagine him moving swiftly, trying to capture a feeling of music. The band members are all playing together; I wonder if Bearden sketched them from real life? I am moved by the faces and musical instruments which seem to emerge from the page. All the musicians are individual, and all the instruments are different. The drawing exists somewhere between representation and abstraction, hinting at his interest in cubism and the work of artists like Picasso and Matisse. I am reminded how artists work together over long stretches of time, inspiring each other's creativity.