Nil Nisi Bonum Charles Samuel Keene (1823-1891)

The drawing presents a scene unfolding within what appears to be a formal setting, possibly a study or library. Three male figures are centrally positioned, engaged in a conversation that seems charged with emotional weight. The composition is structured around the central figure, who occupies the foreground and faces towards the viewer. He leans forward slightly, his posture suggesting attentiveness and perhaps even agitation. His hair is rendered with dense, swirling lines, contributing to an impression of internal turmoil or intensity.
To his left stands a man in a dark suit, positioned at a slight angle. The artist has used hatching and cross-hatching to define the contours of his face and clothing, creating a sense of depth and volume. His expression is difficult to discern precisely, but theres an air of formality and perhaps restrained concern about him.
A third figure stands further back, partially obscured by the central man’s posture. He appears older, with a more subdued demeanor. The lines used to depict him are lighter, suggesting a degree of distance or detachment from the immediate interaction. A window is visible behind them, its panes delineated with precise vertical lines that contrast with the looser rendering of the figures themselves. Light streams in through the window, illuminating parts of the scene and casting shadows that add to the overall sense of drama.
The inscription at the top, Nil Nisi Bonum, hints at a moral or philosophical underpinning to the depicted moment. The phrase, meaning “nothing but good,” introduces an element of irony or complexity; it suggests a potential discrepancy between outward appearances and inner realities, or perhaps a commentary on the difficulty of consistently acting with benevolence.
The drawing’s style – characterized by its rapid, expressive lines and tonal variations – suggests a sketch intended to capture a fleeting moment or emotional state. The artists focus is not on meticulous detail but rather on conveying the psychological dynamics between the individuals involved. The overall effect is one of quiet intensity, inviting speculation about the nature of their relationship and the circumstances that have brought them together.