Vegetation 1948

Josef Istler made this drawing, Vegetation, with graphite on paper. Look at how Istler's process is almost architectural, building up forms with layer upon layer of tiny, tiny marks. You can feel him thinking, rethinking, and searching. There's something very physical about the way the graphite is applied. The texture is thick and velvety in places, built up through countless tiny strokes. Then there are the sharp lines, the ones that almost cut through the soft shading, creating a sense of tension. Notice the big, dark form, like a tear, near the left. It's dense, almost impenetrable, yet it's made of the same stuff as the airy, translucent areas around it. It's as if Istler is showing us the potential of his medium, what can be achieved through patience and concentration. Istler reminds me of Hilma af Klint; both artists were invested in representing unseen worlds and dimensions. Ultimately, Istler asks us to embrace the unknown, the multiple possibilities inherent in every line and form.