Figurehead 1935 - 1942

This is Ingrid Selmer-Larsen’s “Figurehead,” and I’m guessing it was made with some kind of graphite pencil, maybe even colored. The whole thing has this dreamy, muted quality that I just love. You can really feel the artist's hand in the tiny marks that make up the form of this classical sculpture. There’s something so satisfying about seeing how these small marks come together to create texture, volume, and light. It’s like watching a drawing slowly come to life. Look closely at the way she's rendered the folds of the dress, or the curls of her hair, it's all so delicate and precise, but also so full of energy. For me, the overall impression is of something strong and statuesque, yet also vulnerable. It reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, in the sense of obsessive mark-making as a labor of love. Ultimately, this drawing is about process and feeling. And it’s a testament to the power of art to evoke emotions and create new ways of seeing.