Henri Michaux took the hallucinogenic drug mescaline on several occasions in order to experience, and then record as drawings, the altered state of consciousness it induced. This is a work he made after one of these psychedelic experiments. The mass of shuddering lines appears like a seismographic recording, with Michaux’s hand registering his sensations. He saw these drawings as representations of his subconscious and intended them to embody a radical new type of artistic practice. Within the turbulence of the lines, shapes emerge and then recede, as if only partially formed.

Probably acquired directly from the artist by his friend and subsequent dealer, Galerie Daniel Cordier, Paris [according to Olsson 1984 catalogue]; promised gift by Linda Karshan in memory of her husband, Howard Karshan. On long-term loan to The Courtauld Gallery, London.

Henri Michaux: Mescaline Drawings, The Courtauld Institute of Art, London, 12/02/2025-04/06/2025

Modern Drawings: The Karshan Gift, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 19/11/2021-09/01/2022

Inner Worlds Outside, Whitechapel Gallery, London, 28/04/2006-25/06/2006 ...More

Henri Michaux: the Mescaline drawings, Ketty Gottardo (ed.), exh. cat., The Courtauld Gallery, London, 2025
cat. no. 11
ill.

Modern Drawings: The Karshan Gift, The Courtauld Gallery, London, 20 Nov. 2021 - 9 Jan. 2022
cat. no. 12
ill. on p. 79

The Inner Eye: Art Beyond the Visible, Manchester City Art Galleries, 1996
cat. no. 153
ill. ...More

Inscription: Recto: lower right, black ink, signed with initials: “HM”. Verso of its mount: upper left, graphite: “Belgique” and “No.958” (inscriptions written by Galerie Cordier)

Label: Frame, Verso: upper centre, black ink printed on white label, obscured in photograph so only partially transcribed: “153 / Henri Michaux (1899-1984) / Tusch Mescalin, 1957 / […]”; black ink printed on white label with barcode, on wire: “TMP 2013-013.59 / Michaux, Henri, 1899-1984 / Mescalin Drawing [drawing]”; centre, black ink printed on white label: “National Touring Exhibitions from Hayward Gallery / London SE1 8XX 0171 928 3144 / Exhibition: The Inner Eye – 14/9/96 – 1/6/97 / Artist: Henri Michaux / Title: Tusch “Mescalin”, 1957 / Owner: Howard and Linda Karshan”; lower right, black ink printed on white label: “the whitechapel / Henri Michaux Exhibition / Whitechapel Art Gallery, London / 19 February – 25 April 1999”; lower right, black ink printed on white label: “Whitechapel / Inner Worlds Outside Exhibition / Whitechapel Gallery, London / 28 April – 25 June 2006”; lower centre, black ink printed on white label with image of drawing: “TMP 2013-013.59 / Henri Michaux / Mescalin Drawing, 1957 / ink, 12 ½ x 9 3/8 in.”.