Akt (Original Title) 1909

"Akt" (Original Title), a 1909 etching by German Expressionist artist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, depicts a nude female figure in a seated pose. The subject's form is rendered with bold, expressive lines, emphasizing her body and its contours. The use of a single, pale color gives the work a sense of intimacy and sensuality. Kirchner's work is known for its angular forms and emotional intensity, and this piece is a striking example of these stylistic elements. "Akt" is a powerful example of early 20th-century German Expressionism and is housed in the Städel Museum.