Building site of I. G. Farben 1929

Pauline Kowarzik made this drawing of the I. G. Farben building site using pastels, a medium known for its soft, chalky texture and blendable colors. Kowarzik uses the medium to great effect, conveying the dust and haze of the industrial site. The scene depicts the construction of a massive industrial complex, a symbol of Germany's burgeoning chemical industry. Notice the workers dwarfed by the scale of the project, suggesting themes of labor and the human cost of progress. The pastels, manipulated with varying pressure, capture the weight of the earth being moved and the density of the factory buildings under construction. The choice of pastels, often associated with more delicate subjects, creates an interesting tension with the gritty reality of the building site. This contrast encourages us to consider the social and political context of the work, reminding us that even in the face of industrial might, individual artistic expression can offer a powerful commentary. It blurs the lines between traditional fine art and social observation, inviting us to see the artistic merit in everyday scenes.