The Horse Tryout 1951

André Masson made this piece, *The Horse Tryout*, with some kind of ink or thin paint, and maybe a brush, but also maybe something else, like a rag, or even just his fingers! The drawing is all about capturing a feeling of energy and movement. Masson's known for his interest in automatism and surrealism, which is a way of letting the subconscious take over and guide the art-making process. Look at the way he's built up the form of the horse with layers of loose marks and scribbles. Some areas are darker and more defined, while others are light and transparent, creating a sense of depth and dynamism. It reminds me a bit of Cy Twombly's scribbly drawings, both artists seem to be channeling something primal and untamed through their mark-making. Art's not about fixed meanings, it's a conversation, an opening.