Šaukėnai 1930

Mstislav Dobuzhinsky made this drawing called Šaukėnai with graphite, or something like it, and there’s a real freedom in the marks. It’s not about getting it ‘right’ but more about the feeling of the place. Look how he layers the strokes to build up the textures of the wood and the shadows. It feels like he’s really present, responding to each detail as he sees it, the lines never too precious, always adjusting. I love that visible process in a drawing; it’s like you can see the artist thinking. The way he renders the light, especially the shadows cast on the ground, is really effective. It's not overly detailed, but still manages to capture the essence of the scene. It’s that balance between precision and intuition that makes the drawing sing. It reminds me a bit of Piranesi's architectural sketches – a similar sense of place, seen through a very personal lens. For me, it really highlights how art is about seeing and thinking, not just about copying what’s there.