Walter Hasenclever 1917

Oskar Kokoschka made this drawing of Walter Hasenclever with charcoal, and it’s all about these energetic, searching marks. You can almost see him circling around the face, trying to capture something essential. I always wonder, what’s it like to be the artist, right? Kokoschka’s probably thinking about how to nail the likeness, sure, but also about something deeper, the interior life of his sitter. The charcoal is dragged and smudged, giving this real sense of immediacy. Look how the lines around the eyes are dark and intense; they really pull you in. And see how the hatching creates volume and depth. Kokoschka’s not just copying what he sees; he's interpreting, feeling his way through the drawing. In doing so, he’s not just showing us Walter Hasenclever; he’s sharing a bit of himself, too. It’s like a conversation between artist and subject, played out in charcoal on paper.