Wacker’s charcoal drawing is an elegant, quiet counterpoint for Stephan’s vibrant colours.

While the charcoal drawing by Rudolf Wacker (1893–1939) in Room 103 may seem pale in contrast with Klaus Stephan’s vibrant works, it is no less moving. ’Frau am Tisch’ dates from around 1935. Wacker switched from Expressionism to New Objectivity in 1923, and became the movement’s leading exponent in Austria. He continued his quest for spontaneous expression in his drawings, including ’Frau am Tisch’.