Gruss aus dem Café zum "Fenstergucker" 1912

This work, "Gruss aus dem Café zum "Fenstergucker", was made by Gustav Kalhammer, and you can see it’s probably ink and watercolor on paper. There’s a real sense of process here, with delicate but assured marks building a complex interior. The drawing has such a great sense of space, built with line and a light watercolor wash, but it’s also flat, like a stage set. I love the way the columns and ornaments are rendered with quick, confident strokes. They are economical but evoke depth and volume. The color palette is muted, with greens and browns creating a warm atmosphere, but there are so many variations that suggest something lively. See that little coat rack on the left? It's almost a scribble but it anchors the whole scene. It’s like he's saying, "this is just a drawing," but it's also a complete world. It reminds me a bit of Dufy, who has the same confidence in his linework. It feels fresh and free, embracing ambiguity and celebrating the beauty of the imperfect.