Ich 1943

Karl Wiener made this drawing in 1943, and it's all about the kind of marks a pencil can make. The lines build up, creating dark and light areas, like he's sculpting the face out of shadow. There's something so direct about a drawing. You can really see the hand of the artist, pressing hard in some places, barely touching the paper in others. Notice the way the lines around the eyes are so dark and urgent, compared to the softer shading on the cheek. The guy's expression, with his mouth slightly open, makes you wonder what he's seeing, what he's thinking. This piece reminds me of other artists who used drawing as a way to explore the human condition, like Käthe Kollwitz. But Wiener has his own voice. It's a bit raw, a bit vulnerable, and totally captivating. It's not about perfection, but about the energy of the line, and the feeling it conveys.