Frau Goeritz 1922

Curator: Editor: This is Lovis Corinth's charcoal drawing of Frau Goeritz. I'm struck by the contrast between the detailed rendering of her patterned dress and the sketchier face. What can you tell me about the creation of this image? Curator: Let's think about the social context and materials. Charcoal, readily available and easily manipulated, allowed Corinth to rapidly capture Frau Goeritz. The choice of such a modest material perhaps reflects a specific, unrecorded economic consideration. What do you make of the rapid application? Editor: It feels immediate, like a snapshot. Did this medium allow for experimentation, perhaps at the expense of a 'finished' product? Curator: Precisely. It blurs boundaries between high art and preparatory sketch, forcing us to consider the means of its production and its value. Editor: I hadn't considered the economics of art-making this way. Curator: It's vital to understand the labor and material choices behind every artwork.