Portrait of Erna c. 1915

Editor: So, here we have "Portrait of Erna" by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, done around 1915 using ink. I’m struck by how raw and immediate the lines feel, almost like a fleeting impression captured on paper. What does this sketch evoke for you? Curator: Well, this work exemplifies how Kirchner and other Expressionists engaged with portraiture. It wasn't just about likeness. Think about the social context: pre-war Germany, a society wrestling with modernity. These jagged, nervous lines express the unease and psychological tension of that era. How do you see that reflected in Erna’s expression? Editor: I see it in her eyes, perhaps a hint of sadness? But how much is that just me projecting? Curator: Projection is part of the experience! But also consider how Expressionists used distortion to reveal inner states. Is this a "realistic" depiction? No. It’s a subjective interpretation meant to challenge bourgeois conventions of beauty and representation. Kirchner's focus was less on the individual, more on conveying the spirit of the times through this individual. How might that have influenced the public's reaction back then, do you think? Editor: I imagine it was quite provocative, maybe even disturbing for some? It breaks with traditional portraiture so boldly. Curator: Precisely. It's a commentary on a society in flux, using the portrait as a battleground for new modes of seeing and feeling. This artwork reminds us that the artist acts as both reflector and instigator within society. Editor: This has totally changed my perception. I appreciate it less as just a drawing and more as a commentary on pre-war societal anxieties. Curator: Absolutely. Understanding the historical forces at play adds so much to our engagement with even a simple sketch like this one.