Tower Bridge II 1967

Curator: Oskar Kokoschka’s "Tower Bridge II" presents the iconic London landmark as an assemblage of dynamic lines and forms. Editor: It feels unsettled, almost frantic. The frenetic pencil strokes capture the bridge, yes, but also a sense of hurried industry and perhaps even a looming anxiety. Curator: The composition employs a network of hatching and cross-hatching, building depth and volume. Consider the structural integrity conveyed through these marks alone. Editor: But what about the socio-political backdrop? Post-war London was rebuilding, redefining itself. This drawing reflects that transitional moment, the tension between tradition and modernity. Curator: Regardless, there's a palpable energy in the application of the graphite itself. Editor: Agreed. The gestural quality hints at Kokoschka's own state of mind, making it a fascinating artifact of its time.