Drawing c. 1948 - 1958

This drawing was made by Frederick Sommer using an unusual process with pigmented wax on paper. Sommer's method involved heating wax and then manipulating it with various tools, achieving a translucent, flowing effect. The choice of wax is crucial; it allows for layering and blending not easily achieved with traditional paints. Look at how the wax pools and streaks, creating depth and a sense of movement. Sommer wasn’t interested in a perfectly controlled image. The wax itself seems to have had a hand in the design. This embrace of process aligns Sommer with broader trends in art history, where the act of creation becomes as important as the final image. It challenges our assumptions about artistic labor, inviting us to consider how material and technique can shape the meaning of art.