Die Wahsinnige 

Karl Wiener made this ink drawing, titled 'Die Wahsinnige,' sometime during his career, which ended in 1949. The stark contrast created by the ink's darkness against the paper's brightness immediately catches the eye. The medium of ink allows for a dense accumulation of lines, building up the deep shadows of the forest, and creating a sense of depth. The frantic quality of the linework, especially in the background, seems to vibrate with the emotional state of the figure. There is a raw, unfiltered quality to the drawing. Wiener has deployed a traditional drawing material, but to achieve a psychological rawness that transcends the conventional skills of draughtsmanship. By looking closely at the mark-making, we see a record of the artist's hand, his state of mind, and the urgency he felt. The intensity of the drawing speaks to the power of simple materials, and the artist's ability to translate complex emotions through direct engagement with the making process. It reminds us that even within the traditional realm of drawing, there is always room for innovation, and for bringing social and psychological concerns to the fore.