Weib II c. 1929

Karl Wiener made "Weib II" with crayon or pastel, and it's all about touch and feel. The marks are soft, blurred even, creating a dreamy atmosphere, like a memory half-recalled. Look at how he renders the face and neck in shades of reddish-pink, a warm contrast to the cool greys and blacks surrounding it. The texture is velvety, inviting you to reach out and smooth it with your fingertips, even though you absolutely shouldn't! Then notice the marks he makes in the background, scribbles and squiggles that don’t quite resolve into a definite form. It’s like he’s letting us in on his process, showing us the underbelly of the image. This piece reminds me of the work of Paula Modersohn-Becker, another artist who wasn't afraid to mix vulnerability with strength. Like her, Wiener reminds us that art is not about perfection, but about the messy, beautiful act of trying to capture something elusive.