Abduction – III 1914

Lovis Corinth made this image, Abduction – III, using the printmaking process of drypoint. Look closely at the furious, jabbing marks he’s made on the plate, they give the whole scene a restless energy. The image is all about mark-making as a process, a kind of visual thinking-aloud, as if Corinth is grappling with the subject itself. The texture feels raw and immediate, the lines are etched and scratchy, and there’s a real sense of urgency in the way he’s worked. I love the woman’s face, see how just a few lines convey her fear and desperation? It's amazing how much emotion Corinth packs into such a small space. The rider on the horse, the sword, and shield, it's all rendered with the same frenetic energy. Corinth reminds me a little of Max Beckmann, another German artist who wasn't afraid to get messy and explore the darker side of human nature. Art is like a conversation, artists riffing off each other across time. There's no single right way to interpret this, it's up to you to bring your own experiences and ideas to the table.