Dr. J. Goldstein 1905

Editor: Here we have Edvard Munch's 1905 graphite drawing, "Dr. J. Goldstein." It's… kind of unsettling. The quick, scratchy lines give it this raw, almost anxious energy, especially around the eyes. What strikes you most about it? Curator: Well, isn't he a character? That slight smirk, those knowing eyes... Munch really captures a personality here. I wonder if Dr. Goldstein was in on the joke? The looseness of the lines isn’t just anxiety, I think, but also confidence. Look at how few strokes it takes to define his face. Editor: A joke? What kind of joke? I see the confidence in the linework now, but it still feels almost… cruel? Is that just me? Curator: Cruel perhaps. Is it poking fun? Or is Munch reflecting the often-uncomfortable realities of human character? Munch wasn't afraid to portray the darker sides of the soul. It is in this sense that, while subtle, you feel an intense inner drama within the portrayed person, wouldn't you agree? It begs the question – who really was Doctor Goldstein? Editor: True, it makes me wonder about their relationship. I guess I hadn't considered Munch’s intention, focusing only on my reaction to the drawing. Curator: Isn’t that the magic of art, though? To stir those initial reactions within us, forcing introspection to see ourselves. Then you are onto discovering the essence of the artist themselves. I always believe that every creation carries with it the essence of the creator’s own existence at the time. Editor: So, art is not just what we see, but how it makes us see? Curator: Precisely. And perhaps a glimpse into the soul that brought it into being. I think I'll see about a double shot of espresso.