Eine Kreuzung 1979

Lau Heidendael made this drawing, Eine Kreuzung, with graphite. See how the image emerges from a fog of marks, a layering of light and shadow. This feels very connected to the way our minds work, a process of building understanding. The texture is smooth, but the marks are visible, particularly around the form of the body. The density of these marks around the figure's face draws our eye, the areas of greatest darkness creating a focal point. Notice how this contrasts with the blank space of the page, where there are no marks at all. It's like Heidendael is asking us to complete the image, to fill in the gaps and give it meaning. This reminds me of work by artists like Jasper Johns, who use simple forms and familiar images to explore perception and representation. Ultimately, this piece is about the act of seeing itself. Heidendael reminds us that art is not just about what is there, but what we bring to it.