Dr. Ludwig Binswanger 1917 - 1918

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this woodcut portrait of Dr. Ludwig Binswanger. The stark contrast between black and white immediately captures our attention. Kirchner's use of rough, angular lines creates a sense of unease and intensity. The composition is dominated by the face, which fills almost the entire frame. This close-up view exaggerates the sitter's features. The bold, graphic style is typical of German Expressionism, a movement that sought to convey inner emotional states through distorted forms and heightened colors, though here it is restricted to black and white. Consider how Kirchner destabilizes traditional portraiture. The woodcut medium lends itself to simplification and abstraction. Look closely at how each line is deliberately carved to convey not just a likeness, but also a psychological depth. This is not merely a representation of Dr. Binswanger, but an interpretation of his character. It shows how art engages with new ways of thinking about perception and representation.