Rottweiler 1991

Alfred Freddy Krupa made this Rottweiler, probably using ink, on a small piece of paper. Look at the confidence of the mark-making. Each stroke feels considered, like the artist is thinking through the Rottweiler’s essence, not just its form. It’s like the drawing came about through a process of feeling the animal, as much as seeing it. There’s a great tension between what’s included and what’s left out. The paper peeks through, becoming part of the image. See how Krupa defines the dog’s legs with just a few lines. Each line is loaded, suggesting weight, direction, and a kind of muscular energy. Then there are those simple shapes that denote the Rottweiler’s markings on the body – they’re like abstract notes, anchoring the image in reality. I'm reminded of Picasso's animal drawings. But in Krupa’s work, there’s a rawness. It's a reminder that art doesn't have to be polished to be powerful; it’s about capturing a feeling, a moment, a way of seeing.