Beauty Contest in the Motzstrasse (Schonheitsabend in der Motzstrasse) 1918

George Grosz made this drawing, Beauty Contest in the Motzstrasse, with ink on paper, capturing a moment in Berlin. The marks feel quick, like he’s trying to capture a fleeting glimpse. It reminds me that artmaking is often about chasing something just out of reach. Look at the figures crammed into the scene. The lines are nervous, almost vibrating, giving the whole image a sense of unease. There’s a real physicality to the way Grosz uses the ink – you can almost feel the scratch of the pen on the paper. Notice the way he renders the faces, especially the bulging eyes and sharp noses. It’s like he’s not just drawing portraits but also dissecting the souls of his subjects. The single wine bottle looks so solid, weighty, anchoring the scene, which is otherwise filled with such light, sketchy lines. Grosz’s work often reminds me of Otto Dix – that same unflinching look at society’s underbelly. His work isn't about pretty pictures; it’s about confronting uncomfortable truths.