On the Walchen Sea 1920

Lovis Corinth made this etching called “On the Walchen Sea” sometime in his career. Look at the expressive mark-making! It’s like he’s scratching directly into the plate, making these super raw lines. You can really sense his hand moving, almost violently, across the surface, which is kind of great. I love how he uses these simple lines to create depth, atmosphere, and even texture. See that area of dark hatching on the left? It’s like a forest coming right at you. Then, these horizontal lines suggest the flat surface of the water. And these small strokes in the sky almost have a Van Gogh-like intensity. Corinth reminds me a bit of Edvard Munch, you know? Both of them were interested in pushing the boundaries of expression, even if it meant making something a little rough around the edges. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be pretty. Sometimes, it’s more interesting when it’s a little messed up.