Ali Baba's return 

Max Slevogt made this ink drawing, ‘Ali Baba’s Return,’ sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The immediate impression is one of darkness and drama, evoked by Slevogt’s expert handling of his chosen medium. Ink, applied with both brush and pen, allows for a remarkable range of effects, from the thinnest lines to broad washes of shadow. Look closely, and you’ll see that the figures and architectural setting emerge from the blank paper through the layering of tones. It's a technique that emphasizes the interplay of light and dark, reminiscent of stagecraft. The artist's skill is evident in the way he suggests form with minimal means. Think about how labor and class appear in this work. Slevogt asks us to consider the relationship between Ali Baba and the modes of production, inviting us to see beyond the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.