In the Dressing Room (In der Garderobe) 1916

Erich Heckel's etching, *In the Dressing Room,* presents us with a figure caught in a moment of preparation or perhaps contemplation. The scratchy lines, so typical of etching, create a real sense of intimacy. The starkness of the black lines against the pale paper throws everything into sharp relief. Look closely at the face—the way Heckel uses these lines to suggest depth and emotion is really intense. It's as if he's using the etching needle to carve out the psychological state of his subject. The lines around the eyes and mouth, they hint at something deeper than just a portrait. The whole image feels like a study in contrasts: the harsh lines versus the soft curves of the face, the public act of getting ready versus the private moment of reflection. This makes me think about other artists, like Kathe Kollwitz, who used printmaking to explore the complexities of human emotion. Both artists remind us that art isn't just about what we see, but how it makes us feel. It's a conversation across time.