Two Bathers 1923

Max Pechstein made this etching called Two Bathers in 1923, using black ink on paper. I love how Pechstein fearlessly carves out his figures with decisive lines. It's like he's wrestling with the image, trying to pin down a feeling more than a perfect likeness. The way he scratches the lines creates a tactile quality, almost like you could feel the rough texture of the plate. The stark contrast between the black lines and the white paper gives the image a raw, immediate feel, emphasizing the physicality of the women. Look at the lines around the figure on the right, the way the lines are bold and uneven, giving her a sense of vulnerability and strength all at once. It reminds me of Paula Modersohn-Becker's nudes, which similarly embraced a kind of earthy, unapologetic depiction of the body. Ultimately, this piece feels like an invitation to embrace imperfection and find beauty in the raw, unpolished moments of life.