image 135 National Museum of Women in the Arts

The drawing presents a striking juxtaposition of human and floral elements, rendered in meticulous detail with graphite on paper. A portrait dominates the lower portion of the composition; it depicts a face exhibiting a peculiar blend of serenity and melancholy. The eyes are large and intensely focused, conveying an unsettling directness. Lines etched around the mouth suggest a faint smile, yet the overall expression hints at underlying sadness or resignation. The artist has employed cross-hatching to create texture and depth, particularly noticeable in the rendering of the facial features and hair.
Above this portrait rises a single stem culminating in a dark rose. The flower’s petals are rendered with considerable precision, their velvety texture suggested through dense shading. The hand holding the stem appears skeletal and elongated, further emphasizing the contrast between life and decay.
The compositions verticality draws the viewers eye upward from the human face to the bloom above. This arrangement suggests a symbolic relationship between the individual and nature, or perhaps mortality and beauty. The rose, traditionally associated with love and passion, is presented in a somber hue, potentially signifying loss, mourning, or an acceptance of inevitable decline.
The drawing’s monochromatic palette contributes to its overall mood of introspection and quiet contemplation. The absence of color intensifies the focus on form and texture, allowing for a deeper engagement with the emotional weight of the subject matter. There is a sense of fragility conveyed through the delicate lines and the skeletal hand, hinting at vulnerability and the transient nature of existence.