Czobel Bela 1922 1922

Bela Czobel made this drawing in 1922, with what looks like charcoal or conte crayon on paper. The lines are so lively, like the energy of the artist's hand is right there on the surface. I love the way the figure emerges from this flurry of marks. It's not about perfection, but about capturing a feeling. Notice the bird in her hands, a solid dark shape against the loose lines of her dress. It’s a simple contrast, but it draws you in. The texture of the paper peeks through, reminding us of the physical process of drawing, the rubbing of the crayon on the surface. There’s a real honesty to that. Czobel reminds me a little of Schiele, in the way he uses line to create form and emotion. But Bela has his own thing going on. Both Czobel and Schiele embrace ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the work.