Selbstbildnis im Strohhut (Self-Portrait in a Straw Hat) 1913

Lovis Corinth made this self-portrait with a straw hat using etching, which is a printmaking process that looks a lot like drawing. Imagine him there with his etching needle, scratching directly into the metal plate. I wonder, what kind of mood was he in that day? Was he feeling playful or contemplative? The marks are decisive but not overworked, suggesting a degree of confidence. See how the lines around the eyes and mouth create depth and volume? It's amazing what you can do with just a few well-placed marks. The hat creates a shadow and a moody atmosphere. Corinth was part of a generation of artists figuring out how to be modern and express themselves through new means. You can feel the history of art in this image, but also a desire to break free from the past. It reminds me of the drawings of other artists like Paula Modersohn-Becker and Käthe Kollwitz. Artists are always in dialogue, riffing off of each other, and carrying the conversation forward.