#11399 Riccardo Schweizer

Here we see a figure study, rendered in what appears to be charcoal or pastel on a textured ground. The composition is tightly cropped, focusing primarily on the torso and head of a female subject. The artist has chosen a frontal perspective, presenting the body almost directly to the viewer.
The drawing’s most striking feature is its expressive quality. Lines are loose, gestural, and often heavily applied, creating a sense of immediacy and raw emotion. Theres an intentional lack of precise detail; features are suggested rather than meticulously defined. The figure’s face is partially obscured by her hair, which cascades down over the shoulder, contributing to a feeling of vulnerability or introspection.
The color palette is limited, dominated by earthy tones – ochres, browns, and grays – that reinforce the drawings somber mood. These colors are not applied uniformly; instead, they’re layered and blended to create areas of light and shadow, which define the form and add depth. The use of a warm ground color contrasts with the cooler tones used for shading, highlighting the contours of the body.
The artist seems less interested in anatomical accuracy than in conveying an emotional state or exploring the physicality of the human form. The musculature is rendered with a degree of exaggeration, emphasizing strength and resilience while simultaneously suggesting fragility. Theres a palpable tension between these opposing qualities.
The overall impression is one of melancholy and quiet contemplation. The subject’s averted gaze and downcast expression suggest an internal struggle or a moment of profound sadness. The drawing avoids any sense of overt sensuality; instead, it presents the body as a vessel for emotion, a testament to human experience in its most vulnerable form.