Untitled [recto] c. 1950s

This is an untitled drawing by Franz Kline, made with graphite on paper. I’m really drawn to how Kline uses marks to create volume in this piece. It is not just line, it is tone and texture. The smudged, almost powdery charcoal on the right side suggests a heavy, looming form. Look how this contrasts with the linear structures on the left. There’s a building under construction, maybe? You can almost feel the grit of the charcoal under your fingers, can’t you? The way the medium is applied gives the piece its energy; a balance between control and chaos. Kline’s work reminds me of Robert Motherwell, both artists shared a talent for turning simple gestures into profound statements. Like a conversation between friends, each artist building upon the other’s ideas. This piece, like so many great works of art, invites us to bring our own interpretations.