Artwork
A Small Monster
A Small Monster is a drawing by Reuben Mednikoff. It dates from 1936 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This is a drawing called A Small Monster by Reuben Mednikoff. It’s a pen and ink work from 1936.
Mednikoff and Grace Pailthorpe used Surrealist “automatic” drawing to explore the mind. He dated this piece seven times in one day, showing how he worked without planning. The strange creature hints at their goal: to uncover hidden fears.
Check out how Mednikoff layered lines with cross-hatching.
Overview
A Small Monster is a pen and ink drawing created by Reuben Mednikoff in 1936. It exemplifies the artist's experimental approach to Surrealist 'automatic' drawing.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a monstrous figure, suggestive of a nightmare creature. This representation is thought to be a manifestation of repressed fears and desires, aligning with Mednikoff's collaborative work with psychoanalyst Grace Pailthorpe.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Mednikoff's use of layered lines achieved through cross-hatching, a technique that adds depth and texture to the drawing. The inscription '21 January 1936-7' indicates it was the seventh drawing made that day, highlighting Mednikoff's methodical and unplanned creative process.
History & Provenance
The drawing is dated January 21, 1936, and bears an inscription suggesting it was part of a series created that day. It appears to have been removed from a book, indicating a possible original context within a larger collection or journal.
Artist & collection
Artist
Reuben Mednikoff made unsettling drawings in the 1930s that feel like visual diary entries.
