Downfall, plate twelve from A Life 1884

"Downfall," a 1884 etching by Max Klinger, is a powerful and dramatic image from his series *A Life*. The work depicts a face emerging from the water, surrounded by stormy clouds. The etching's masterful use of light and shadow emphasizes the subject's desperate struggle for survival. Klinger's detailed and precise technique creates a sense of realism and immediacy, drawing the viewer into the scene's chilling atmosphere. "Downfall" is a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the power of nature, and is a masterpiece of Symbolism.