Illustration to V. Hofmannsthal, "Andreas" 1939

This illustration to V. Hofmannsthal's "Andreas" was made by Imre Reiner, and you can really feel that process, that inky build-up, the scratching and the layering of darks to make up the image. The starkness of the black ink against the pale paper is like a stage set – theatrical and intense. Look at the head on the left, looming large with its almost grotesque features, and how Reiner carves out each line, each wrinkle, each shadow with such deliberate force. You can practically feel the pressure of the tool on the plate. The eyes are almost bulging, and the lines around the face feel feverish, scratchy. It’s not just about what’s depicted, but how it's depicted. Reiner reminds me a bit of Käthe Kollwitz, in his commitment to conveying emotional weight. Ultimately, it's a potent reminder that art doesn't always have to be beautiful to be powerful.