The Painter 1923

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this etching, called The Painter, with ink and a printing press. Notice how the lines are hatched and scratchy? It’s like he's thinking aloud with the marks, not trying to hide the process. Look at the way he defines the planes of the face with these nervous, vibrating lines. It’s not about capturing a likeness, it’s about feeling the energy of the person. The ink isn’t precious, it's almost dirty, clinging to the paper. Then there's this sort of strange sculpture, maybe a figure of a cat or a snake, perched on the table. It feels totemic, primal. Kirchner reminds me of someone like Munch, in the way he uses line to express raw emotion, even if that emotion is sort of fraught. Ultimately, this piece reminds us that art isn't just about what we see, but how we feel.