Henry van de Velde 1917

Editor: This is Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's "Henry van de Velde," a woodcut print, currently at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark contrast and sharp lines give it a very intense feel. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider the historical context. Kirchner, as a member of Die Brücke, was deeply engaged with the anxieties of modern life. The distorted features here speak to the alienation and psychological unease prevalent in early 20th-century Germany. How does that reading resonate with you? Editor: It does. I see that feeling of unease in the lines around the eyes and mouth. Curator: Exactly. And think about van de Velde himself. He was a key figure in the German Werkbund, advocating for design reform. Kirchner's portrait challenges notions of beauty and functionality, offering a critique of the very structures van de Velde helped build. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about, especially how art can reflect and question societal values. Curator: Indeed. Art serves as a powerful lens through which we can examine and challenge the world around us.