Dans le "Bottin" 1923

Erich Wichmann made this piece, Dans le "Bottin", sometime in the 20s. It's a drawing, probably in pencil or ink, where the process feels right on the surface. The piece has this beautifully casual line quality, simple and straightforward, like a doodle, but it depicts something so strange. It’s almost architectural in its simple form, and I love that the lines are so delicate and unlabored. It’s the kind of thing that I could imagine making myself, and that makes it feel very intimate. The thin, transparent lines create a sense of lightness, and the absence of color keeps it open to interpretation. There’s a touch of Cocteau in its surreal simplicity; both artists embrace ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations. Ultimately it leaves you with more questions than answers.