Untitled

Untitled

Lyonel Feininger

1909

charcoal

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

About this work

This sketch shows a chaotic street scene with people running in different directions. A man in a top hat is knocked to the ground, while others scramble with luggage or hold umbrellas. Buildings loom in the background, their rooftops cluttered with chimneys and odd angles. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement and panic, almost like a frantic newspaper drawing. The word "Aufruhr" (German for "riot") is scribbled in the corner, hinting at unrest. If you like this style, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build texture with lines.

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