#44157 Benjamin Palencia

The drawing presents a still life arrangement centered around a table laden with objects. A roughly textured tablecloth dominates the composition, its folds and creases meticulously rendered through dense cross-hatching that suggests both volume and a sense of weight. The artist has placed several items upon this surface: two goblets, a small cylindrical container, a plate, and a folded cloth which occupies a significant portion of the central space. A vertical element, possibly a bread roll or similar food item, stands adjacent to the cylinder.
The arrangement is not presented with traditional perspective; instead, theres an intentional flattening of spatial depth. The objects appear somewhat abstracted, their forms simplified and delineated by strong outlines. This stylistic choice lends a graphic quality to the work, emphasizing line over tonal variation. The limited range of values – primarily achieved through varying densities of hatching – creates a monochromatic effect that focuses attention on the interplay of lines and shapes.
Subtleties in the drawing suggest an exploration beyond mere representation. The deliberate awkwardness in the placement of objects, their slightly off-kilter arrangement, hints at a rejection of conventional beauty or harmony. The folded cloth, with its complex pattern of folds, becomes almost a focal point, diverting attention from the other elements and contributing to a sense of visual complexity.
The signature and date (B. Palevicius Paris 34) in the lower right corner provide contextual information, anchoring the work within a specific time and place. The inscription itself is rendered with similar linear precision as the rest of the drawing, integrating it seamlessly into the overall design. Overall, the piece conveys an impression of deliberate construction rather than spontaneous observation, suggesting a focus on formal elements and compositional strategies over realistic depiction.