Armchair 1936

This drawing of an armchair was made at an unknown date by Lorenz Rothkranz. The sepia tones and soft rendering give it a dream-like feel. It reminds me of when I'm trying to capture a memory, and the edges start to blur. Look at how Rothkranz builds up the form with delicate lines, almost like a topographic map of the chair. The shadows aren't harsh, but gentle, suggesting a diffused light source. The paper seems to breathe through the washes of color, creating a sense of depth and space around the object. The detailing on the back of the chair is exquisite. It's as if Rothkranz wanted to capture not just the object, but the feeling of sitting in it. This reminds me of the work of Agnes Martin, who could evoke immense emotion with the simplest of lines. Art is about capturing a fleeting moment, and Rothkranz has done just that.