Saturday, July 23, 2011

And I Too in Darkadia - The '70s Drawings of Zdzisław Beksiński


1970 was the last year of exhibitions devoted exclusively to Beksiński's drawings. In the following years he organised a few mixed exhibitions, composed of paintings and drawings, but henceforward a growing place devolved to paintings. His last drawings date from 1973-74 (Beksiński began drawing again in 1988).

They barely resemble the first ones which, until 1968, were of modest dimensions and executed in pen and ballpoint. Since 1968 they have been large, averaging 40 in x 28 in, and are executed in charcoal. Strictly speaking, they are paintings in black and white - works which differ from painting neither in form not in subject. The charcoal technique allowed him an extended use of soft chiaroscuro in a "naturalist" manner. The charcoal pictures of Beksiński constitute one of the highest achievements of modern drawing. They show his rare skill in means of expression, which few artists have ever attained.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zdzis%C5%82aw_Beksi%C5%84ski

Music: Popol Vuh, 'Mantra 1': from the soundtrack album to Werner Herzog's 'Nosferatu the Vampyre' ('Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht'), SPV, 1978/2004

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