Half monster, half meisje - Lucebert

A striking ink drawing by Dutch CoBrA artist Lucebert, depicting a hybrid figure that merges human and monstrous forms through raw, expressive lines.

Lucebert, born Lubertus Jacobus Swaanswijk, was a central figure in the Dutch post-war avant-garde. Associated with the CoBrA movement, his work often rejects formal academic constraints in favour of a raw, spontaneous approach. This ink drawing, dated 27 February 1975, demonstrates his characteristic use of line to construct hybrid, unsettling figures that blur the boundaries between the human and the monstrous.

The composition features a figure whose lower half is recognisably human, depicted in a simple, striped skirt. Above this, the form transforms into a jagged, creature-like entity. The upper portion is defined by sharp, angular lines and aggressive hatching, suggesting a chaotic or predatory nature. Lucebert employs a direct, unrefined line quality, typical of his graphic output, which prioritises immediate emotional expression over anatomical accuracy. The contrast between the static, grounded legs and the frenetic, distorted upper form creates a sense of movement and instability.

As a poet and painter, Lucebert often integrated his literary sensibilities into his visual art. His drawings frequently function as visual poems, where the subject matter is less a literal representation and more an exploration of psychological states. The work is signed and dated in the lower right corner, a common practice for the artist, who viewed his daily output as a continuous stream of creative activity. This piece provides a clear example of his ability to conjure complex, often dark, narratives through minimal means. The stark black ink against the white paper surface emphasises the graphic power of his mark-making, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the transformation occurring within the figure.