Dromos 1993

Neo Rauch made Dromos using oil paint on canvas, a traditional medium, but with a distinct approach. Rauch’s paintings often feature a muted palette, and visible brushwork, which is evident in the layering of blues, whites, and blacks. The canvas's texture itself becomes part of the artwork, visible beneath the paint. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the surface, building up the image layer by layer. The application of paint gives the artwork a tangible, almost sculptural quality. The painting contains hard to identify motifs, combined in surreal compositions, reminiscent of early 20th century avant-garde art. Rauch’s work defies easy categorization. It incorporates techniques from both the fine arts and illustration, blurring the lines between these disciplines. The dreamlike compositions invite introspection about the legacy of craftsmanship and cultural memory in the age of mass production. It challenges us to reconsider the value of manual skill and the importance of materiality in contemporary art.