Ohne Titel VII c. 1940

Karl Wiener made this untitled painting, maybe with gouache or pastel, at some point in the first half of the 20th century, and it feels like a memory. It’s kind of like a dreamscape, right? With a limited, almost monochromatic palette, Wiener creates this super atmospheric nighttime scene. There's a physical softness to the piece – the colors blend in a way that feels less about precision and more about capturing a mood. I think of it as an exercise in trusting the process. The way the stars are just these tiny, almost hesitant marks, it gives the whole painting a very human, vulnerable touch. Like, it’s okay if it's not perfect, it's about capturing that feeling, that fleeting moment of wonder. And look at that glowing house! What is that? It reminds me a bit of Milton Avery, in that both artists simplify form to get at the feeling within the painting. Wiener’s work is not trying to show you an objective reality, it’s about showing you his reality, and that’s way more interesting to me.