#38665 Ernesto Fontecilla

The drawing presents a figure rendered in charcoal, dominated by a monochromatic palette of grays and blacks. The subject appears to be a young boy, seated on what seems to be a lap or some other supporting surface. He is positioned in profile, his head turned towards the viewer with an expression that conveys vulnerability and perhaps distress.
The artist has employed loose, gestural strokes to define the form of the child, creating a sense of immediacy and emotional rawness. The lines are not precise; instead, they suggest movement and a fleeting moment captured in time. The shading is particularly effective in modeling the boy’s face, emphasizing the contours of his brow and cheekbones while obscuring details that might offer definitive identification or narrative context.
The figure on whose lap the child sits remains largely indistinct. Only an arm and part of a shoulder are visible, suggesting a protective presence but denying any clear depiction of identity. This ambiguity contributes to the drawing’s overall sense of mystery and invites speculation about the relationship between the two figures. The obscured nature of the supporting figure could symbolize dependence, comfort, or even constraint.
The background is similarly undefined, consisting primarily of broad washes of charcoal that create a hazy atmosphere. This lack of detail directs the viewers attention entirely to the central subject – the boy’s posture and expression.
Subtly, there is an impression of isolation conveyed through the limited tonal range and the absence of any surrounding environment. The drawing seems less concerned with literal representation than with exploring themes of fragility, dependence, and perhaps a sense of unspoken sorrow or anxiety. It evokes a feeling of quiet contemplation rather than dramatic action.