Illustration to Novalis, "Heinrich von Ofterdingen" 1941

Imre Reiner created this illustration to Novalis’s novel "Heinrich von Ofterdingen" probably around 1941. I’m always fascinated by the way an artist approaches mark making, and here, Reiner's textures are all about the scratchy, immediate quality of the printmaking process, which, like painting, is a dance of control and happy accidents. Look at the contrasts – how the heavy darks of the trees and sky push against the more delicate, lighter areas in the architecture. It's all in shades of grey, built up of fine lines. See how the moon glows, just a perfect circle of untouched paper. I love how this stark light makes the details in the stonework feel almost tactile. It's so simple, yet so evocative, isn't it? This reminds me a bit of Piranesi, with its romantic ruins and dramatic contrasts. Ultimately, it’s this ambiguity, this invitation to wander through the image, that makes it stick with you.