Harry Carmean’s chalk drawing, “Figure Study after Millet”, 1988

Harry Carmean 1922–2022)

“Figure Study after Millet”, 1988 (note that this drawing is inscribed with the date, “[19]68”, but the artist’s wife, Miriam Slater, advises that it “was actually done in 1988” and confirms this adding “—I know, I was there”), a drawing executed in a blue-green (emerald) coloured chalk on grey-blue (acid-free) Canson paper, signed and dated, “68”, with the name of the artist referenced in the study, “Millet” (Jean François Millet [1814–1875]).

© reproduced with kind permission of Harry Carmean

Size: (sheet) 65 x 50 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 showing Carmean’s use of Millet’s principle of using straight lines to create the illusion of curves. For me this drawing is simply marvellous as it clarifies what my father taught me at an early age when he was carving ornamental flourishes on the furniture he made. He pointed out to me that to avoid making “S”-shaped curves that lacked tension (i.e. that looked “flappy”), great artists base their curves on a foundation of straight lines. This was to become a very important principle to me.

Condition: beyond age-toning (fading) at the outer edges, the sheet is in an excellent condition for its age with no tears, holes, abrasions, significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this insightfully executed study by a great modern-day master after Millet—a drawing that needs a worthy home— AU$239 (currently US$155.97/EUR144.59/GBP123.52 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

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.