Houses 1907 - 1938

Heinrich Tischler made this print called "Houses," with ink on paper. The process of making this feels so exposed, right? Look at how the marks are laid bare. The surface has this direct relationship to the hand. There’s no hiding here. Tischler uses simple black lines to create a sense of depth and texture. The dense, vertical lines on the left building, they almost feel like you could run your hand across them, like feeling the grooves on corrugated iron. But then, look at the building on the right; the lines are much thicker, darker, almost like a shadow. It’s as though he’s not just showing us the buildings but also the very act of perceiving them, with all their weight and presence. This work reminds me of Piranesi, who also used line to create these intense, imaginary spaces. It is the kind of work that invites you to get lost in its lines and layers. There are no easy answers, just a space to wander and wonder.