Amazone mit Pferd. Studie zur _Amazonenschlacht_ in Burg Drove 1911 - 1912

Heinrich Nauen made this energetic pastel drawing, Amazone mit Pferd. Studie zur Amazonenschlacht in Burg Drove, which translates to Amazon with Horse. Study for the Amazon Battle in Burg Drove, sometime before 1941. I love how the sienna-colored horse rears, with the nude rider pulling back, while another creature lurks below in dark-blue ink. The yellow pigment creates a vibrant aura that ignites the scene. You can see him building the scene, mark by mark, line by line. The support peeks through the drawing, so the colors aren't solid. What was he thinking as he imagined the Amazon war? I imagine Nauen thinking about Delacroix's chaotic paintings of writhing figures and horses. He's part of this long tradition that celebrates movement and conflict through color. Like so many paintings, this drawing is about time, and about creating a space for endless speculation and interpretation.