Self-portrait 1915

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this self-portrait with ink, sometime around 1915. The cross-hatched lines feel nervous, full of energy. He’s rendered his own face as a series of sharp angles, with a penetrating gaze, and I can imagine him staring intently at his reflection, trying to capture not just his likeness, but his inner state. What was he thinking when he made this? The linear quality of the drawing is quite striking, reminiscent of woodcuts, which Kirchner also explored extensively. Look at the way he uses hatching to create depth and shadow, giving his face a sense of volume and structure! These lines are not just descriptive; they are expressive, communicating a sense of anxiety, intensity, and introspection. Thinking about other artists, I’m reminded of the stark, psychological portraits of artists like Otto Dix and Max Beckmann, who were also grappling with the emotional toll of their time. Kirchner continues to speak to artists today. We are all in an ongoing conversation, inspiring each other’s creativity. We can only hope to keep the dialogue flowing.