Melancholie (Selbstbildnis mit Erna) 1922

"Melancholie (Selbstbildnis mit Erna)" (1922), a woodcut by German Expressionist artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, depicts a seated nude woman with a man's head in the background. The figures are rendered with bold, angular lines and contorted forms, characteristic of Kirchner's style. The use of strong black and white contrasts, along with a deep purple background, emphasizes the emotional intensity of the scene. The work is considered to be a self-portrait, with the woman representing the artist's muse Erna, reflecting themes of isolation and inner turmoil. The artwork is currently housed in the Städel Museum.