Lezende joodse man Possibly 1908 - 1923

Hermann Struck made this etching, "Lezende joodse man," with thoughtful mark-making to suggest light, shadow, and texture. The process feels almost meditative. Look closely, and you can see how the lines aren't just descriptive but also emotional. The textures are built up through tiny, energetic strokes, especially on the man’s beard and the pages of the book. It’s like Struck is feeling his way through the image, each line a tiny exploration. Notice the man's hand pressed to his head. The lines are darker and more concentrated there, emphasizing the weight of his thoughts. This kind of introspective portrait reminds me a bit of Rembrandt’s etchings. There’s a similar interest in capturing not just a likeness but a feeling, an inner state. Both artists use the etching process to explore the human condition. It's a reminder that art is always in conversation with itself, across time and different hands.