Olympia 1924

Otto Mueller made this print, Olympia, with lithographic crayon, and it's all about process. You can see the directness of his hand in the marks, a kind of immediacy that invites you into his way of seeing. The texture is palpable, isn't it? Look closely at the way the crayon sits on the surface, almost like it's been rubbed into the paper. The colors are muted, earthy, but there's a vibrancy there too, especially in the blues and greens of the landscape. It reminds me of Bonnard in its quiet intimacy, but with a rawer edge. I am drawn to how the strokes of crayon almost vibrate against the paper. Each mark feels intentional but also loose and free. Mueller seems to balance control and chance. The way he built up the image from simple strokes is something I can really relate to. Like, how do you make a world with a few marks? I love that kind of question.