Begegnung Schlemihls mit dem grauen Männlein auf der Landstrasse 1915

This is Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s woodcut, Begegnung Schlemihls mit dem grauen Männlein auf der Landstrasse. The title is a mouthful but the image is immediately engaging. Kirchner’s use of bold colors and graphic shapes to depict the meeting of Schlemihl and the grey man is really striking. The angularity and starkness of the lines give the whole scene a raw, almost urgent feel. You can really sense the influence of German Expressionism here. Look at the way the shapes are almost violently disrupted. That bright blue, it’s not just a color; it’s a mood, a feeling. Notice the way Kirchner leaves gaps, so the white of the paper acts as another color in the composition. It's like he’s carving not just the image but also the space around it. It reminds me of Paula Modersohn-Becker's woodcuts, her dedication to portraying everyday life with such raw emotion. Ultimately, you get the sense that this work is about life not being neat or pretty but raw and challenging.