Head of a Woman 1920

Editor: This is Wilhelm Lehmbruck's "Head of a Woman," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a simple charcoal drawing, but the woman's downward gaze creates such a pensive mood. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The power lies in Lehmbruck’s masterful control of line and tone. Note how the density of charcoal varies, creating depth and shadow. Observe the economy of strokes; each mark precisely describes form and evokes emotion. How does this restrained palette contribute to the overall effect? Editor: It definitely focuses my attention on the shape of her face and the expression in her eyes. It's all about the form. Thanks! Curator: Precisely. This work exemplifies how formal elements can coalesce to generate a powerful aesthetic experience.