Celebratory people 

Eugen Klimsch made this lively sketch of celebrating people using pen and brown ink on paper. Klimsch’s choice of materials here speaks volumes. It is clear that the artist was prioritizing spontaneity. Unlike the laborious process of creating a painting, a quick drawing allowed him to capture an immediate impression of the scene before him. The material qualities of ink and paper lend themselves to this effect. The fluid ink glides across the surface of the paper, leaving behind delicate lines that are quick to produce and equally quick to fade. This ephemerality is fitting for a scene of celebration, which by nature is fleeting. The speed and ease of drawing also democratize the art-making process. Unlike painting, which often requires expensive materials and specialized training, drawing is accessible to anyone with a pen and paper, and this accessibility underscores the universality of celebration itself. Klimsch’s sketch reminds us that art is not just about the finished product, but also about the process of making and the social context in which it takes place.