Tavern Bust c. 1937

Walter Hochstrasser painted this Tavern Bust with what looks like gouache and watercolor sometime in the 20th century. I love that he's created this very specific, almost caricature-like character with a few simple washes and highlights. It’s interesting how Hochstrasser uses color to create depth and form. The way the light hits his face makes it so expressive and knobbly, giving him this real sense of personality. He's got this smug, sort of knowing smile, that's counteracted by his slightly weary looking eyes. Look at that jaunty hat and kerchief! The more I look, the more this character just pops right out of the painting. It's fun to consider Hochstrasser with someone like George Grosz, who also uses caricature to make social commentary. But where Grosz is very biting, Hochstrasser is more playful and mischievous. It just goes to show, you can do so much with just a few marks and the willingness to let a character emerge.