Staircase Alley in Fiesole c. 1930

This is a print called Staircase Alley in Fiesole by Eva Marie Schlenzig. It’s just charcoal on paper, simple, but the way she uses those dark marks, it feels like so much more. I like how Schlenzig uses these rough, scribbly lines. The darkness creates depth and shadows, but it's also pretty raw. Look at how the marks feel unresolved, like she’s figuring it out as she goes. There are figures here, but they are consumed by darkness. What does it mean to be a body in the dark? The whole thing has this cool, spooky vibe. It’s like a dream you can’t quite remember, all shadows and whispers. It reminds me a bit of Käthe Kollwitz, with that same kind of moody, expressive line. And, like Kollwitz, Schlenzig isn't trying to give you all the answers. It's more about asking questions. And that's what keeps you looking, right?