Winter journey in the Harz Mountains 2: The Deer 1924

Editor: This is Ernst Barlach's "Winter Journey in the Harz Mountains 2: The Deer," from the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white lithography feels almost like a woodcut. What's striking to you about the material choices in this piece? Curator: The process is key here. Lithography allowed Barlach to achieve that raw, textured look. Consider how the accessibility of printmaking democratized art, reaching a wider audience beyond traditional gallery spaces. Editor: So, the choice of lithography wasn't just aesthetic, but also about accessibility? Curator: Precisely. Think about the social context: who had access to art, and how did artists like Barlach challenge those norms through their material choices and production methods? Editor: I never thought about it that way. It's more than just the image; it's about who gets to see it. Thanks! Curator: Exactly. Materiality and means of production are never neutral choices. They reflect the artist's intent and the social forces at play.