Zeichnung zur Fibel_ Papagei c. 1905

Hans Thoma made this drawing of a parrot for a primer, and I can imagine him, back in the 19th century, carefully observing this bird, trying to capture its essence with simple lines. It’s all about the mark-making here, isn’t it? Quick, sketchy lines that define the parrot's form and the texture of the branch it’s perched on. Look at the varying densities of the hatching, creating depth and shadow with just a few strokes of the pen. You can see the artist’s hand moving across the paper, feeling the texture and shape of the parrot. I wonder if he was thinking of other naturalist painters when he made this? There’s a directness and simplicity that speaks to the broader tradition of natural history illustration, while also hinting at the artist's unique way of seeing the world. It is a reminder of how artists engage in a visual conversation across time, inspiring one another to find new ways of representing the world around us.