Entry G
15.5″ x 21″, graphite pencil
“The Final Grasp”, a piece done completely in graphite pencil, depicts a section of the marble sculpture, Ugolino and His Sons”, seen on “The Gates of Hell”, a bronze sculptural group work by Auguste Rodin detailing a scene from Dante’s Inferno. The choice of graphite pencil plays a significant role in this piece, as the deep shadows and striking highlights symbolize the nature of man and his struggle with sin and morality, torn between the light and darkness of human existence. The statue itself shows the story of Ugolino and his sons, as they endure the struggles of starvation and imprisonment of Hell. Within the story, we see the self-sacrificial nature of Ugolino’s sons, as they grasp onto him, begging him to use their downfall to sustain his own life, as one who truly loves another would do. Since this section of the sculpture is depicted on the greater sculpture, “The Gates of Hell”, we can also interpret this as a final grasp after salvation and the deep yearning and need of something greater than ourselves to save us. This piece was also inspired by the work of Ansel Adams and his use of high contrast between light and dark in his photography. Both artists convey deep feeling in their work that inspired my use of dramatic contrast and the subject matter.