Dancer (Pair of Dancers) 1909

Max Pechstein made this print, Dancer, with lithographic ink on paper. The process here feels immediate, like the image has been pulled out of the ether, from the artist's imagination. I'm drawn to the way the blocky shapes come together, especially the dancer’s dress, which is also the dancer’s body. See how the inside edge of that shape also suggests her legs, and the feeling of movement? It's all so economical. Look at the texture, it’s not about perfection; the roughness in the marks gives it a raw, expressive energy. And how the colour palette is reduced to a few tones - ochre, black, cream - this creates a strong contrast and highlights the form. Pechstein, like other Expressionists, was inspired by printmaking and its graphic qualities, which is reminiscent of artists like Kirchner, but with a different vibe. Pechstein is more interested in form, and Kirchner in angst. This image stays with you - an invitation to dance along with it.