Bag-Piper 1936

Mikuláš Galanda created this ink drawing of a Bag-Piper with a female figure, sometime before 1938. Look closely, and you’ll see that the image is made from countless tiny dots of ink, a technique known as stippling. Galanda applied these marks with great patience and precision, using them to build up areas of tone and texture and to define the stylized figures. The process is especially evident in the shading of the faces and clothing, where the density of dots creates a sense of volume and depth. This labor-intensive approach is critical to the work's appeal. It slows down the viewing experience, compelling us to focus on the careful control of material and form. Galanda's embrace of craft techniques elevates the drawing beyond mere representation. By drawing our attention to process and materiality, he suggests a deeper engagement with the world around us.