Frauenschuh 1935

Wilhelm Heise made this drawing, Frauenschuh, with graphite on paper. Look at how Heise teases out the subtle gradations in tone, the way he builds up the forms of the leaves and flowers with a delicate layering of marks. It's all about the process, letting the hand and eye collaborate. There's a real physicality to the drawing, you can almost feel the texture of the paper beneath the graphite. See how Heise uses different pressures to create light and shadow, giving the plant a sense of depth and volume. I'm drawn to the way the leaves at the base of the plant are rendered with such care and attention to detail, each vein and fold meticulously captured. It makes me think of the drawings of Agnes Martin, there's a similar sensitivity to line and form. Ultimately, this drawing is a testament to the power of observation and the beauty of simplicity. It's a reminder that art is not about perfection, but about the journey of seeing and feeling.