Der Wunderhirthe 1919

August Natterer made this strange watercolor, Der Wunderhirte, at an unknown date. The piece is all about line work and a kind of bizarre illustration. There's this figure constructed from other figures: a huge, disembodied leg and foot which acts as a kind of stage set. I love how the colour creates a kind of dream-like depth. The blue seeps into the paper, creating a mottled texture. You can almost feel the grain of the paper itself. Then there's the shepherd, all neat and tidy, in contrast to the weirdness that supports him. Look at the fish-like form at the bottom of the leg. It's a peculiar detail, and it introduces another layer of oddity. Is it a mutation, a symbol, or just a quirk of Natterer's imagination? Natterer reminds me a bit of Hilma af Klint, another artist who wasn't afraid to go deep into their own personal vision. Ultimately, art is a conversation, a constant push and pull of ideas and interpretations.