Schwung c. 1923

Karl Wiener made this drawing titled "Schwung" with what looks like colored pencils and ink. The mark-making is so direct, you can really feel the artist working through an idea. Looking at the lines of color, you can see how each stroke builds on the other, creating a sense of movement. The red figure at the top seems to be diving head-first into all of this energy. It's like the artist is using color to map out a feeling, a force, or maybe even a moment. That little corner where the black lines cross each other, right at the top of the curve, it feels like the whole piece pivots around that point. It reminds me of Picasso’s drawings. There’s something so immediate and raw about it. It's like Wiener is saying, "Here's what I'm feeling, take it or leave it." And that's what I love about art – it's a conversation, not a lecture.