Untitled (After Nature: Tree) 1959

This is "Untitled (After Nature: Tree)" by Charlotte Posenenske, made using crayon on paper. The colours are muted, almost melancholic, with the blue and brown blending to create a sense of depth in the trunk. You can really see the process here, the way each stroke builds upon the last. The materiality of the crayon is very present. You can see the texture of the paper underneath. The artist hasn't tried to hide or smooth out the marks, which brings a certain honesty to the work. It is almost as if you are watching the artist observe the tree, distilling it down to its most essential form. Look at the way the crayon bleeds slightly at the edges, creating this halo effect. It's beautiful, isn't it? This piece makes me think of Agnes Martin, another artist who found profound meaning in simplicity and repetition. It's a reminder that art doesn't always need to be grand or imposing, it can also be quiet and intimate, like a whispered conversation.