Portrait of Carl Sternheim, from "Der Bildermann", no. 9, 1916 1916

Curator: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner created this lithograph portrait of Carl Sternheim in 1916, published in "Der Bildermann." Editor: The stark contrasts immediately convey a sense of unease, don't they? The deep blacks and sharp lines seem to carve the figure out of the paper. Curator: Absolutely. Sternheim, the playwright, was a key figure in Expressionist circles, and Kirchner captures a certain intellectual intensity, reflecting the era's anxieties. This print was made during the First World War, after all. Editor: The angularity—especially around the eyes and brow—hints at a deep psychological probing, almost unsettling in its directness. The lithographic process lends a unique texture, adding to that raw emotional feel. Curator: Precisely. Kirchner’s involvement with Expressionism, a movement deeply concerned with conveying inner emotion over objective reality, gives context to the agitated lines and stark contrasts, embodying the psychological turmoil of the time. Editor: It's a compelling piece, where form powerfully conveys complex, layered emotions. Curator: A testament to the tumultuous spirit of the age.