Sitting Nude 1972

Here we have Hryhorii Havrylenko's "Sitting Nude," drawn with what looks like a graphite pencil. The magic of this piece lies in its simplicity, it’s about an artist working something out, isn’t it? I'm really drawn to the way Havrylenko uses line and shadow to create form. There's a softness to the shading, a hazy quality that gives the figure a kind of ethereal presence. I love how the blanket underneath her is barely there, just scribbles of grey, but it’s enough to give you the texture. The line work around her face is lovely, very delicate. You know, looking at this I’m reminded of Lucian Freud, in that both artists share a dedication to the nude. Both try to capture the weight and reality of the human form. With this piece, like so many great works, it seems like the conversation continues.