Mooi hè? 1923

Erich Wichmann's "Mooi hè?" is a wispy little drawing done with graphite on paper. It’s all about the line, a kind of hesitant searching that reminds me of Philip Guston’s late, great drawings. The figure is just barely there, almost fading back into the ground. But then you notice the shading on the body, how it gives a little weight, a little presence. The marks aren't labored. It feels like he made it quickly, in one go, letting the pencil do its thing. It’s so casual, but then you see the title, scribbled at the bottom, “Mooi hè?” which is Dutch for “Beautiful, eh?” This makes me think of Soutine, who also had this way of making something so raw, so immediate, but also so full of feeling. It's like he’s inviting you to see the beauty in the everyday, in the simple act of drawing, and in the world.