Der Kuß 1916

Gerda Wegener made this drawing titled ‘Der Kuß’ with ink. It’s a kiss framed by a blossoming wreath, a scene rendered with incredible precision, yet it feels so light and free. You can almost feel the artist's hand dancing across the page. Look at the ribbon winding around the figures; the gold ink shimmers, in contrast to the stark black and white. The lines of ink are both delicate and bold, and define the forms while allowing the eye to complete the picture, filling in the spaces like the memory of a dream. There’s a charming awkwardness to the drawing style that gives it so much life. Wegener's work reminds me of other artists, like Aubrey Beardsley, who were pushing the boundaries of illustration and fine art. Ultimately, it’s this kind of artistic conversation that makes art so timeless, always inspiring new ways of seeing.