Melancholie I c. 1933

Karl Wiener's "Melancholie I" (c. 1933) is a stark black and white drawing depicting the head and shoulders of a melancholic figure, likely a self-portrait. The artist uses intersecting lines and angular forms to create a sense of emotional intensity. The figure's face is obscured, but the downcast eyes and the lines that seem to criss-cross and encase the figure convey a sense of isolation and contemplation, making the work a powerful example of Expressionist art.