In and Under the Mirror 1977

This drawing, In and Under the Mirror, by Richard Artschwager, presents a stark, linear exploration of space and perception. Executed with simple ink on paper, its formal qualities evoke a sense of unsettling calm. The composition is dominated by a rectangular frame, meticulously rendered with vertical lines, suggesting a doorway or a mirror. Within and beneath this frame, fields of scattered marks disrupt any clear sense of depth, challenging our understanding of spatial relationships. The mirrored image seems to spill beyond its expected boundary, questioning the stability of reflection and reality. Artschwager plays with semiotics here. The mirror, traditionally a symbol of truth, is fractured. The rigorous lines of the frame contrast with the chaotic marks within. The drawing destabilizes established meanings, inviting us to consider the fractured nature of perception.