Bridges in Paris 1905

Paula Modersohn-Becker made this drawing of Bridges in Paris with graphite, giving it a real sense of immediacy. Look at how she uses the graphite; it’s not about perfection, it’s about catching a fleeting moment. The lines are sketchy, almost like she’s racing against time, which, given she died so young, is kind of heartbreaking. There’s a real sense of place, but it’s less about the exact details and more about the feeling of being there. The reflections in the water are just a few scribbled lines, but they work. I like how she focuses on the bridge and the figures walking across it, like they’re part of the structure itself. It reminds me a little of Whistler’s etchings, the way he captured the mood of the city. It’s about the poetry, not the picture postcard. This piece leaves space for our own interpretations, our own memories of Paris.