Elephant Maternity

This lithograph depicts an African elephant cow with her calf—a wonderfully simple image in which Fritz once again explores the theme of motherhood. The work’s particular appeal lies precisely in its simplicity. With just a few charcoal strokes and sparingly applied color, Fritz succeeds in making the two animals appear remarkably alive. Their bodies, folds of skin, ears, and trunks are suggested with a confident hand, without going into detail. Nothing feels superfluous: with remarkably few means, everything essential has been captured. The restrained palette of warm ocher tones enhances the small work’s natural yet almost tender quality.