Emil Nolde, Ada Nolde, Erich Heckel und Ernst Ludwig Kirchner bei der Vorbereitung eines Holzschnittes c. 1937

This energetic drawing by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner shows fellow artists Emil Nolde, Erich Heckel, and their partners preparing a woodcut. Kirchner's choice of pen and ink emphasizes the immediate, process-oriented nature of printmaking. Woodcut is a relief printing technique where an image is carved into a block of wood, leaving the design standing in relief. Ink is applied to the surface and then transferred to paper, often by hand, or with a press. The process demands a unique kind of labor. It is physically demanding and requires the artist to directly engage with the material. The black lines dominating the composition are a direct result of this carving process. Kirchner and his fellow artists were part of the ‘Die Brücke’ group, known for embracing printmaking as a means to democratize art, making it more accessible beyond traditional painting. The rough, graphic quality of the woodcut aligned with their desire to challenge academic traditions. By focusing on the social dynamics of artistic creation and the work involved in printmaking, Kirchner elevates the value of craft and collective endeavor within the fine arts.