Stående, kvindelig akrobat med venstre hånd på hoften. 1906 - 1909

This drawing of a female acrobat with her left hand on her hip was made by Othon Friesz. The lines, made with what looks like a soft pencil, are brisk and searching; you can almost feel him looking at the model, trying to capture her weight and stance. There’s a real sense of process, of trying things out, the lines don't settle, giving the work a vitality that a more polished finish might lack. The way the chest area is rendered, with all those quick marks, it's like he's trying to find the form, the breath, the very life force of the figure, so much energy in this small area of the drawing. The lack of detail, the rawness of the lines, somehow makes her feel more real. It's like we're catching a glimpse of something fleeting, a moment of poise and strength. You could compare this to a quick sketch by Matisse, particularly his drawings of dancers. Both artists share a love of line and a fascination with capturing the human form in motion.