Das leere Café (The Empty Café) 1917

"Das leere Café" (The Empty Café) is a 1917 pencil drawing by German Expressionist Walter Gramatté. The work depicts a café interior from a high vantage point, with empty tables and chairs, suggesting the solitude and isolation of urban life. Gramatté, known for his stark and expressive lines, captures the emptiness of the space, with subtle shadows and light, highlighting the contrast between the lively atmosphere of a café and its desolate emptiness. This sketch is characteristic of Gramatté's work, demonstrating his ability to evoke emotion through the use of simple lines and suggestive forms.