Zeichnung zur Fibel_ Frosch c. 1905

This is Hans Thoma's 'Drawing for the Primer: Frog,’ and right away I'm into its scratchy, whimsical world, like something out of a children's book but with a dark edge. I’m picturing Thoma hunched over this drawing, maybe by candlelight, letting the ink bleed into the paper, each stroke a little experiment. He’s creating these big-eyed frogs and this fish with what looks like writing all over it. What was he thinking? The lines feel urgent, like he’s trying to capture a fleeting thought or feeling. And those squiggles and dots, they’re not just filling space; they're creating a whole mood, a sense of mystery and maybe a little bit of unease. It’s almost like he's using the pen to feel his way through the image, discovering it as he goes. I see this drawing as part of a long conversation that Thoma is having with other artists. The drawing might look simple, but it's part of a bigger tradition. We can all participate and offer our own readings.