"Weg der Befleckung" - "Elefant og snusende hund" 1857 - 1920

Max Klinger created this drawing called "Weg der Befleckung" - "Elefant og snusende hund" using pen and brown ink. The composition immediately presents us with a stark contrast in scale and form: a massive elephant viewed from behind, its bulk rendered with a network of delicate lines, dwarfing a small dog sniffing inquisitively at its rear. The elephant's solid form is built through subtle gradations of tone, while the dog is sketched with an economy of line, emphasizing their differing presence and roles within the space. Klinger masterfully uses line to imply texture and volume. The rear view denies us the expressive face of the elephant, shifting our focus to its physicality and the canine's curious investigation. This juxtaposition might symbolize the disparity between the powerful and the vulnerable, or perhaps the oblivious and the inquisitive. The drawing leaves room for contemplation, inviting us to consider how the relationships are structured and framed by the artist's choices. The meaning is not fixed, but emerges through our ongoing observation and reflection.