Harry Carmean’s charcoal drawing, “Reclining Figure”, 1973

© reproduced with kind permission of Harry Carmean

Harry Carmean 1922–2022)

“Reclining Figure”, 1973, a life-class drawing of a nude male with a small sketch of two figures at upper left, signed and dated, “73”.

Charcoal on fine wove paper (newsprint?).

Size: (sheet) 43.2 x 55.8 cm.

This rapidly executed drawing by a true master (as may be seen by the unhesitating confidence of the strokes and the profound understanding of anatomy displayed) is a marvellous example of how Carmean defines the upper plane of the figure’s back and his use of strong strokes to differentiate the outer edges of this plane. Note also how Carmean applies strong pressure on the charcoal to mark where tendons reveal themselves in the lower (left) leg and his use of the tiniest twist to the end of a line, such as the end to the line defining the bicep on the right arm, to describe the contour of the connecting form. Gong further, note how Carmean creates a spatial gap—an area where the linework stops, sometimes referred to as Noetic space—to indicate a separation between planes, such as the gap between the upper hip and what lies beyond and the gap between the shoulder and the head.

Condition: the sheet is in a near pristine condition for its age with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this insightfully executed life-class study (with a notational sketch at upper left) for AU$216 (currently US$144.37/EUR130.63/GBP114.99 at the time of posting this drawing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this drawing by an acknowledged master draughtsman (see “Drawings of Harry Carmean” [ISBN 10: 087505210X]; and the monograph on the artist, “Carmean” [1974]), please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This drawing has been sold