Two Eyes and an Arc

About the work

Two widely spaced eyes are indicated by short strokes and small enclosed lines. A long nose descends between them, while thin arcs at the sides suggest cheeks and hair. The face occupies almost the whole sheet, yet most of its surface remains unfilled. Sharp diagonals and loose curves pass above the eyes; several intersecting lines create a denser accent at the right edge.

Recognition comes from the precise placement of a few details. The pale interval between eyes and nose establishes proportion more strongly than the outer contour. Long lines carry the eye across the composition; short ones bring it back to the gaze. Open outlines prevent the face from becoming a closed silhouette: the unmarked sheet participates in its construction, preserving the drawing’s lightness and immediacy.