Hermann Göring 1945

This drawing of Hermann Göring, was created by Kukryniksy, sometime around 1945. It's a quick, gestural piece, where the artists seems to be trying to capture something beyond the surface of the man. The drawing is all line, a kind of furious, searching contour that digs into the paper. There's no shading, just pure, unadulterated outline. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the page, trying to pin down the essence of this individual. Look at the lines around his eyes and mouth, etched deep into the paper, they convey a sense of weariness, but also, maybe, a hint of something more sinister. It reminds me a little of Philip Guston's later, more cartoonish drawings. Though the subject matter couldn't be more different, both artists share a similar approach to line and a willingness to embrace the ugly, the awkward, and the uncomfortable. It's a reminder that art isn't always about beauty; sometimes, it's about confronting the darker aspects of humanity.