The forms are simplified with an attention of straight lines versus curved lines, and a geometric statement of the disk-shaped cuffs and neck ruff. He's careful to draw the centerline down the torso, and to think of the folds of the cape as strong columnar tubes. Cornwell often remarked about the difference between folds, which are structural, and wrinkles, which are accidental.
It was done as a study for the Sir Walter Raleigh murals in the Warwick Hotel in New York.
This is the difference between classicism and naturalism. A lot of realist painters today are obsessed with naturalism, but don't realize that so much of the great art of the past is classical and not naturalistic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a yummy drawing!
ReplyDeleteThat pipe in his hands gives it a certain swing.
ReplyDeleteAs they used to say:
"It ain't mean a thing (if it hasn't got that swing)"
...eh, that rather belongs to the realm of music. We're on a painting blog here:
I'll take my coat;-)
I feel like this drawing has a wonderful crispness and cleanliness that comes from the attention to geometric precision.
ReplyDeleteThis is genius. The lines, the control, and the fluidity of the image make it stand out so much.
ReplyDelete