The Dancer 24 (2021) Original Pastel Drawing by David Kofton

Black Pastel on Paper, 2021
22" x 28"

In The Dancer, David Kofton captures a quiet, intimate moment of preparation — a ballerina bent in concentration as she adjusts her slipper, suspended between stillness and movement. It is a deeply human pause before performance, filled with grace, vulnerability, and discipline.

Executed in rich black pastel on paper, the piece showcases Kofton’s lifelong mastery of figurative work. Through fluid line, soft tonal transitions, and expressive mark-making, he reveals both the physical strength and delicate beauty of the dancer’s form. The monochromatic palette strips away distraction, allowing gesture, anatomy, and emotion to emerge with striking clarity.

Created in 2021, this work reflects Kofton’s enduring fascination with the human figure as a vehicle for storytelling and emotional depth. The sweeping dark textures of the costume contrast beautifully with the luminous softness of the body, creating a compelling interplay of weight, lightness, and movement.
A powerful original for collectors of figurative art, dance-inspired imagery, and expressive contemporary pastel drawing.

Original artwork
One of a kind
Signed by the artist

Materials used:

black pastel, paper

Details:

• Pastel drawing on Paper
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 55.88 x 71.12 x 1.27cm (unframed) / 55.88 x 71.12cm (actual image size)
• Signed on the front
• Style: Photorealistic
• Subject: People and portraits