Bogenschütze 1920

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this drawing, Bogenschütze, with crayons on paper. Look at how the strokes dart around the page, capturing the archer’s stance and the energy of the moment. I can imagine Kirchner, with his intense focus, rapidly sketching, trying to capture not just what he saw, but also the feeling of tension as the archer takes aim. See the lines around the figures? It's like the air itself is charged, vibrating with anticipation. It’s interesting how Kirchner uses color sparingly – touches of blue around the eyes, and then those thin red lines on the figure to the left, creating a focal point in an otherwise muted palette. It reminds me that painting, or drawing, is a way of thinking, a way of working through ideas and feelings. Kirchner was part of a whole movement of artists exploring these ideas, each building on what the other had done, like notes in a visual conversation. It’s a beautiful reminder that art isn't just about the finished product, but also about the process, the looking, the feeling, and the thinking that goes into it.