The Prodigal Son 1913

Curator: Here we have Wilhelm Lehmbruck's intaglio print, "The Prodigal Son," currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first impression is one of starkness. The figures seem almost spectral, emerging from the textured surface of the plate. Curator: Indeed. Lehmbruck's rendering, employing a drypoint technique, creates these very fine yet distinct lines, evoking a sense of fragility and vulnerability. The figures lack any distinct facial features. Editor: The materiality speaks volumes. The deliberate process of etching and printing, the labor involved in creating this image, contrasts so poignantly with the raw, exposed emotion of the figures. Curator: I agree, and would add that it intensifies the spiritual and psychological depth. Notice how the composition focuses on form, creating a powerful visual statement on repentance and forgiveness. Editor: Perhaps. For me, it's the tangible evidence of the artistic process itself that really amplifies the themes of human frailty present in the image. Curator: It's fascinating how Lehmbruck utilizes such a simple, direct method to convey such a nuanced narrative. Editor: Absolutely, it's a superb example of how process informs meaning.