Sad Pencil Sketches: The Artistic Pursuit of Presence

The Courtauld's collection of 17 charcoal portraits by Frank Auerbach is a testament to the artist's dedication to capturing the essence of human presence. These drawings, made between 1958 and the present day, are not just studies of physical appearance but rather explorations of being, encounter, and connection.

Auerbach's self-portraits stand out in this collection, as they reveal the artist's introspective nature. He often gazes away from the viewer, lost in thought or focused on something beyond our perception. This self-absorption is a hallmark of his artistic process, where he seeks to understand the complex dynamics between himself and his subjects.

The drawings are characterized by their intricate build-up of lines, capturing the tension between deliberate strokes and spontaneous marks. Auerbach's pencil sketches seem to convey the artist's own thought processes, as if we can hear his mind working through different ideas and emotions. The resulting portraits are a testament to the artist's ability to capture the multiplicity of human experience.

Auerbach's artistic process is one of trial and error, with multiple attempts and successive failures leading to the final image. He has spoken about the importance of 'failing better,' a phrase that echoes Samuel Beckett's philosophy of persistence in the face of uncertainty.

The models who sat for Auerbach were not given direction or guidance on how to pose; instead, they were encouraged to be themselves, allowing the artist to capture their unique presence. The resulting drawings are characterized by their fluidity and expressiveness, as if the subjects are about to shift or change at any moment.

In the end, Auerbach's sad pencil sketches are not just depictions of people but rather explorations of human existence. They invite us to consider our own presence in the world, our connections with others, and the mystery that lies between us. Through his drawings, Auerbach reminds us that art is a journey of discovery, where failure can often lead to unexpected breakthroughs and new insights.

Sad pencil sketches