Landscape in the Taunus 1916

This drawing of a landscape in the Taunus was made by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, but the date is unknown. What strikes me here is Kirchner's approach to mark-making: it’s all about the process. There's a real feeling of energy here; like he’s trying to capture the essence of the landscape, but he is not trying to pin it down to anything too specific. The marks are quick and decisive. Look at the way the lines dance and loop, especially in the sky. It’s almost like he's drawing the wind as much as the clouds. Compared to some of his later work, which can feel more controlled, this one feels like a burst of pure feeling. He reminds me a little of Cy Twombly, someone else who knew how to make a scribble sing. Ultimately, art is not about answers, it’s about embracing ambiguity and asking questions.