Building site of I. G. Farben 1928

Pauline Kowarzik made this pastel drawing of the I. G. Farben building site, but when, we don’t know. There’s a real interest in the process of making, the pastel is chalky, it gives the whole scene a kind of dusty, unfinished feel, like the site itself. I’m drawn to the cluster of barrels and containers, how they’re rendered with these soft, smudgy marks. They are tangible, but also dissolve into the background. See how the artist uses these marks to suggest form without defining it too precisely. There’s a tension between representation and abstraction, which gives the image an atmospheric quality. This embrace of ambiguity reminds me of some of Morandi’s still lifes. Both artists share a fascination with the quiet beauty of everyday objects, using subtle variations in tone and texture to create a feeling of depth and complexity. It’s the kind of art that invites you to slow down and really look.