LA (drawing in ink plus one mylar) 1994

This drawing, LA (drawing in ink plus one mylar), was made by Saul Steinberg using ink. Just imagine him, perched over this sheet of paper, probably at his desk, his hand moving with such intentionality. Look at the playful strokes that form the letters L and A, not just letters but buildings, structures, even a kind of landscape. The line is so simple, so clear, it feels almost effortless, but I bet Steinberg labored over every decision. It’s easy to feel the hand of the artist here, his personality shining through. He was so brilliant at capturing the essence of a place or an idea with just a few lines. I see echoes of other artists in this work, maybe Paul Klee with the way he simplifies and abstracts forms, or even some of the surrealist painters with the dreamlike quality of the image. But really, Steinberg was one of a kind. His drawings are like little philosophical jokes, inviting us to think about the world in a new way. Artists are always in conversation with each other, aren't they? Passing ideas back and forth across time.