Groep staande en zittende figuren c. 1765 - 1775

This graphite sketch, "Groep staande en zittende figuren," by Jean-Honoré Fragonard, presents a vertical stack of figures on a lightly toned page. The composition, oriented along the vertical axis, features loosely defined human forms sketched with a delicate, almost ephemeral quality. Fragonard's use of line is particularly striking. He employs a series of quick, overlapping strokes to suggest form and movement, creating a sense of dynamism. The lack of distinct boundaries between the figures blurs the lines between bodies, challenging our perception of individual form. Through his strategic use of layering and erasure, Fragonard invites us to question the nature of representation. Is it a faithful transcription or a subjective interpretation? This ambiguity challenges traditional modes of representation. We are left contemplating the fluid boundary between representation and abstraction.