Work on paper

Drawing, one of the oldest and most fundamental forms of visual expression, occupies a central place in the history of art. From the earliest prehistoric engravings to contemporary works, drawing has constantly evolved to meet the creative needs of artists and civilizations. With the invention of paper in China in the 2nd century and its adoption in Europe in the 15th century, drawing took on a new dimension, becoming not only an essential tool for artists, but also a medium in its own right. 

At first, paper was used primarily as a support for manuscripts and preparatory sketches. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci developed drawings on paper to explore ideas for paintings and sculptures. However, it was only in the early 20th century that drawing, through techniques such as collage, became an autonomous medium. Figures such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque revolutionized the field by superimposing fragments of paper and experimenting with texture and composition.

Contemporary drawing shows an inventive marriage of techniques and materials, often mixing elements of collage, paint and ink on the same support. Whether in pencil, charcoal, watercolor or ink, drawing remains a discipline favored by artists, not only for its accessibility, but also for its ability to capture ideas quickly and capture the essence of a subject.

Today, drawing is fully recognized as an art form in its own right, just as much so as painting or sculpture. It offers an infinite range of expression, from precise realism to abstract minimalism, portraiture, caricature and technical drawing used in fields such as architecture and design. 

Artists such as Françoise Pétrovitch, Jacques Villeglé and Robert Combas have helped reaffirm the place of drawing and paper in the world of modern and contemporary art.