Dancer 

Jules Schmalzigaug made this drawing, entitled 'Dancer,' using pencil and crayon. Schmalzigaug, an Italian futurist painter, sought to capture the dynamism of modern life, a life marked by speed and technological advancement. His artistic journey was deeply influenced by his personal struggles with identity and belonging. Born in Belgium to Austrian parents, he spent much of his career in Italy, experiencing life as an outsider. This sense of displacement likely fueled his exploration of movement and change through art. Looking at this dancer, there is a sense of someone caught in a moment of transformation. Schmalzigaug captures not just the physical motion but also the emotional and psychological shifts inherent in performance. This piece reflects the cultural milieu of the early 20th century, marked by rapid social changes, questioning of traditional gender roles, and the rise of new forms of expression. The drawing invites us to consider the complex interplay between identity, movement, and the ever-changing world.