Profile of a Young Boy 1911

Georges Lemmen created this colored pencil drawing, "Profile of a Young Boy", using fairly conventional materials. But that doesn't mean we should overlook their significance. The artist's hand is immediately evident here. It’s easy to see that he would have had direct physical contact with the paper surface, and the colored pencils themselves. The grainy texture, soft lines and muted hues of the materials all contribute to the drawing's intimate and approachable quality. While not as glamorous as oil paint, pencils were a democratic choice, cheap, and available to all. Lemmen built up the image slowly, by applying layer upon layer of pigment, until finally the image coalesced. It is an unpretentious artwork that speaks to a spirit of experimentation and the artist's desire to capture the character of his young subject. We can appreciate the skill and thoughtfulness that went into the making of this humble artwork, recognizing that profound statements can be made with the simplest of means.