Bench in the Woods II 1917

Lovis Corinth made this etching, Bench in the Woods II, and when I look at it, I think about process. The etched lines vary in thickness and direction to describe the textures of the forest. There's a real material presence in this print, which I find so exciting. The layering of marks creates a sense of depth and atmosphere. See how the light filters through the trees, catching the edges of the bench. The bench itself is just a few lines, but it feels so solid, doesn't it? It's a good place to rest. It’s so simple, but it does the job. Corinth was working around the same time as Munch, and I see a similar kind of psychological intensity in their work. But where Munch is all angst, Corinth is more grounded. I find comfort in that. Art is about seeing the world in new ways, but it's also about finding our place in it.