Alter Bauer (Original Title) 1919

Editor: This is "Alter Bauer," an etching and ink drawing by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, from 1919. The scratchy lines and somewhat distorted features give the work an anxious and uneasy quality. What do you see in this portrait? Curator: For me, the key to understanding this work lies in the post-World War I environment in Germany. Kirchner volunteered for military service, and the experience deeply affected him. This work reflects the societal trauma, and perhaps also the artist’s disillusionment with authority and the old social order, suggested in the man’s aged face. The figure seems slumped, perhaps symbolic of that breakdown. Editor: So, this "old farmer" could represent a critique of traditional German society? The German title is "Alter Bauer," after all. Curator: Exactly. Think about the art world’s institutions at this time too. Kirchner was a part of the Expressionist movement. They pushed back against the established academic styles favored by the art academies, and challenged the institutions that upheld those traditional standards. The rawness of the etching becomes a deliberate rejection of those 'polished' academies, mirroring the societal disruptions you picked up on in your initial reaction. Why do you think Kirchner chose etching specifically? Editor: Perhaps the rough lines of etching are a more immediate way to convey emotion, and this aligns with the emotionality of Expressionism, distinct from what he might express in another medium such as paint? Curator: Good point. The graphic quality of the etching print also makes it easily reproducible and therefore widely accessible – which chimes in with the political messaging, to create an accessible critique. Something to consider. Editor: This has given me a lot to think about, particularly regarding the relationship between personal trauma and broader societal critiques reflected through medium and distribution. Thanks!