Cycle Race 1926

This is Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s ‘Cycle Race’, and it's an etching, so a drawing made with acid on a metal plate. Look at how he’s scratched those lines, so full of energy, capturing not just the race but the feeling of speed and chaos. It’s all about the process of mark-making here. The texture is key. The ink clings to the etched lines, creating a rough, almost gritty surface. Those lines, they’re not just describing shapes; they're building a world. See how the shading creates a kind of tunnel vision, funneling all that speed? The way he suggests figures in the crowd with just a few lines, it’s like a shorthand for human energy. The front rider, bent over his bike, feels almost aerodynamic. It’s interesting to think about how Kirchner was part of ‘Die Brücke,’ and how they were trying to shake up the art world, get away from tradition. This etching feels like that spirit – raw, immediate, and totally alive. It reminds me a little of some of the futurist paintings. But really, it’s Kirchner’s unique voice, a bit scratchy, a bit nervous, but always full of life.