Vajda Lajos Magába Néző 1938 1938

Vajda Lajos made this drawing in 1938 using pencil and paper. The marks are dark and the shading is achieved by many small strokes. It reminds me of making charcoal drawings as a student, smudging the paper with my fingers and using an eraser to bring out the light. Looking at it now, I imagine Vajda hunched over a table, his brow furrowed as he tries to capture something elusive. I can see him stepping back, squinting, then diving back in to add another layer of shading. The contrast between the dark, scribbled lines and the blank paper is striking. There is a feeling of vulnerability and uncertainty, like the artist is grappling with something deep inside himself. I love how he allows the image to emerge gradually, embracing the imperfections and accidents along the way. It's a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about the process of discovery and the courage to express oneself honestly, something so many artists strive for.