Sheet I, Wozzeck Shaves the Captain 1925

Curator: Walter Gramatté's "Sheet I, Wozzeck Shaves the Captain" presents us with a raw, unsettling moment rendered in stark lines. The print, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, captures a peculiar interaction. Editor: My first thought? Claustrophobia. Those swirling lines around them feel like a tightening noose, amplifying the awkward tension between the two figures. Curator: Indeed. Gramatté uses the density of the etched lines to create a visual dissonance. Notice how the figure of Wozzeck looms, almost distorted, above the seated Captain. Editor: There's such a weird power dynamic. The act of shaving, usually intimate, is twisted here. It’s as if Wozzeck holds not just a razor but the Captain's very fate in his hands. Chilling, really. Curator: Gramatté masterfully employs the contrast between light and shadow to heighten the dramatic intensity. The lack of color further strips away any sense of comfort, emphasizing the psychological weight. Editor: This image just vibrates with unspoken menace, a silent scream captured in ink. Makes you wonder what was going through Gramatté’s head when he created it. Curator: The expressive style, characteristic of German Expressionism, serves to externalize the characters’ inner turmoil. A striking example of the power of graphic arts. Editor: I keep coming back to those lines. They're not just decorative; they're emotional seismographs, recording tremors of fear and resentment. A bold piece, so spare, yet so full.