Standard Bearer 1915

Lovis Corinth made this drawing, Standard Bearer, with expressive marks and stark contrasts, probably using charcoal or ink. I like to imagine Corinth, in his studio, wrestling with the image. He's using dark, bold lines to capture the weight and presence of the figure. You can almost feel the pressure of his hand as he’s bearing down on the page, trying to capture the essence of this soldier. The lines are loose and gestural, as if he's trying to grab hold of something fleeting. I sympathize with Corinth’s struggle to find the right balance between detail and abstraction. There’s a sense of urgency in the marks, a desire to communicate something powerful and immediate. It reminds me of other painters like Kathe Kollwitz. We can see this conversation happening across generations as artists grapple with similar themes and techniques, pushing the boundaries of expression.