Egel 1916

This small print by Jan Mankes captures a hedgehog in quiet contemplation. Imagine the artist, carefully etching each tiny spine, a labor of love and patience. I'm struck by the texture—you can almost feel the prickliness of the hedgehog's coat against the smooth, dark background. The details, like the whiskers and tiny claws, bring the creature to life. I wonder what Mankes was thinking as he created this piece. Was he drawn to the hedgehog's solitary nature, its resilience in the face of the world? There's something very direct and tender here, reminiscent of other artists who find beauty in the everyday. It’s like he’s saying, "Look, even the smallest creatures have a story to tell." And that's the great thing about art, isn't it? Artists are always talking to each other, across time and space, inspiring us to see the world in new ways.