At the Zoo 1920

Lovis Corinth’s print, "At the Zoo", looks like it was made with a frenzy of etched lines. It feels like he attacked the plate with his needle, digging in, creating a dark, moody scene. Look at the lower part of the image, where the water is. Notice how the etched lines aren’t just marks but they give real texture, a sense of depth, and the movement of the water. You can almost hear the water sloshing, and sense the damp air. It’s as if Corinth is saying, 'this isn't just an image, but a whole environment, loaded with feelings.' This reminds me a little of some of James Ensor's etchings, where the everyday becomes something a bit spooky and raw. It is like this work is a reminder that even simple scenes can have hidden layers, a whole load of emotion, waiting to be scratched out and revealed.