Madchen (girl) 1921

Walter Gramatté made this etching, Madchen, sometime in the 1920s. The composition has such a sketchy, provisional feel, like he's thinking through the image as he makes it. The etched lines are delicate but decisive, creating a sense of texture and depth despite the limited tonal range. Look at the lines around her eyes, how they darken and pool to create the gaze. It is the darkest area on the whole print, and so all attention is drawn to it. Then there is the strange, jagged halo around her head, I think it creates a beautiful contrast to the softness of her face. This reminds me of other German Expressionist artists like Kirchner, with that same raw, emotional intensity. It's like Gramatté is searching for something beyond just a likeness, trying to capture a feeling, an essence. Ultimately, it is a reminder that art isn't about answers but about the questions we ask along the way.