Illustration to Novalis, "Heinrich von Ofterdingen" 1940

Imre Reiner made this illustration to Novalis' "Heinrich von Ofterdingen" in 1940, probably using ink on paper. The marks are really immediate, like quick sketches, capturing a sense of movement and fleeting emotion. The texture here is all in the lines, they're not trying to hide the process, but rather making it part of the feeling. Look at how the lines around the woman's face on the right almost vibrate with energy. It's like Reiner is showing us not just what they look like, but how he feels about them, or maybe how they feel about each other. The figures seem lost in thought, and the loose lines amplify this introspection. It reminds me a bit of some of the German Expressionists, like Kirchner, who used bold lines to convey intense emotions. But Reiner has his own thing going on. It’s a great reminder that art isn’t about perfect representation, it's about creating a space for feeling and thinking.