Foyerszene 1927

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this etching, Foyerszene, in 1912. It's an image built from so many lines! They seem to cross each other every which way, describing figures, but also creating depth through the density of marks. It reminds me that artmaking is a process of layering, adding, and sometimes obscuring. Look closely, and you'll see how the etched lines vary. Some are delicate and thin, others are bolder and more emphatic. It's like Kirchner is using the weight of the line to suggest the weight of a body, or the fall of light. Notice, especially, the seated figure to the right. Her dress is barely sketched, yet her presence is palpable. These lines work together to create a feeling of nervous energy. This piece reminds me of work by other Expressionists who were obsessed with capturing the feeling of modern life. It’s a conversation across time, this work. Art isn't about fixed meanings, but about embracing multiple interpretations.