Šaukėnai 1930

Mstislav Dobuzhinsky made this drawing, Šaukėnai, with what looks like graphite on paper. I can almost see him there, squinting to get the perspective right of the buildings huddled together. I love the attention to detail in each shingle on the roofs, and how each vertical line on the walls of the houses feels distinct. There’s a real sense of place here, a quiet hum of everyday life. It reminds me of other artists who are also interested in the texture and the weight of lines, like Jasper Johns or even Agnes Martin. These artists are all in conversation, aren’t they? A constant exchange of ideas across time. Each mark, each line, tells a story, not just of what’s depicted, but of the artist’s hand, their eye, and their heart. It’s like they’re inviting us to see the world as they do, with all its quirks and imperfections.