Self-portrait with Model 

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner likely made this self-portrait with a model sometime in the first decades of the 20th century, perhaps using woodcut printmaking. Kirchner, a German Expressionist, often explored themes of alienation, urban life, and the artist's role in society. Here, we see Kirchner standing stiffly next to a seated, somewhat objectified model. The stark contrast and angular lines evoke the unease and tension of pre-war Germany. Consider the socio-political climate of the time. Germany was rapidly industrializing, leading to significant social changes and anxieties. Expressionist artists like Kirchner questioned traditional values and sought to capture the raw, emotional experience of modern life. The institutional context is also relevant. Expressionism challenged the established art academies and sought to create a new, more authentic form of artistic expression. By studying Kirchner's letters, diaries, and the broader cultural history of the period, we can better understand the complex social and artistic forces that shaped his work. Art is contingent on social and institutional context.