Dodo (Original Title) 1909

This print of ‘Dodo’ was made by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It's all about the line, a stark contrast between the figure and the background, creating a bold yet vulnerable image. You can almost feel Kirchner's hand moving across the plate, making the artmaking process really evident. There's a rawness to the etching, an immediacy that I find so appealing. The way the lines vary in thickness, creating depth and shadow with such economy! It's a masterful lesson in reduction. Look at how the jacket hangs open, the lines almost daring to be incomplete, but somehow they totally describe the form. You know, Kirchner reminds me a bit of Matisse in his use of line, but with a darker, more psychologically charged edge. Like all good art, this print stays with you, inviting multiple readings. It's an ongoing conversation.