Untitled

Untitled

Horst Janssen

1965

ink

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

About this work

This sketch shows a face turned slightly away, buried in thick, tangled lines. The hair and beard are made of chaotic strokes, almost like fur or brushstrokes gone wild. The eyes are hidden, and the whole image feels rough and unfinished, like it was drawn fast or by hand. The artist used a technique where ink is scratched into a metal plate, then pressed onto paper—this makes the lines look uneven and textured. It’s not polished; it’s raw. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this create prints with tools and acid.

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