Groep vrouwen, waarvan één naakt en een ander een doek omhooghoudend 

Editor: This etching by Lovis Corinth depicts a group of women, with one nude and another holding up a cloth. It feels theatrical, almost like a stage scene, but the rough lines create a sense of unease. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This print is interesting when considered in the context of early 20th-century German Expressionism. Corinth was exploring themes of sexuality and the female form, but it's crucial to consider the gaze. Is this a celebration of the body, or does it participate in objectification? What do the expressions of the clothed women suggest to you? Editor: They seem almost voyeuristic, perhaps? There's a tension between the apparent freedom of the nude woman and the judgment implied by the others. Curator: Exactly. The ‘genre painting’ element signals it is a domestic scene, which can be seen as a commentary on the restricted roles of women in that era, and perhaps the tension between societal expectations and personal liberation. It also could be read against an understanding of performance. Does the woman see herself being observed? How does that play into power dynamics? Editor: It's unsettling to think about the power dynamics at play here, making this more complex than just a scene of women together. The cloth also looks like its being used to draw the gaze. Curator: Yes, consider how this work intersects with feminist discourse. We need to look beyond just the visual representation and analyze the historical, social, and political dimensions. What is he showing us about that particular historical and cultural context? Editor: That's a helpful reminder to dig deeper. I see this etching as more thought-provoking now. Curator: These old works can have real resonance in a very contemporary world and I see this work really making one consider performativity.