Outcry 1918

Curator: Walter Gramatté's etching, "Outcry," presents an intense figure rendered with sharp, expressive lines. Editor: Wow, it feels like a scream trapped in paper. The raw energy is almost overwhelming. Curator: Gramatté, though often associated with Expressionism, had a unique approach to materiality, even within printmaking. We can see here how the acid bites into the plate, creating a network of textured lines that articulate form and emotion. Editor: The way the body is contorted, the frantic lines… It reminds me of someone fighting against an invisible force. A real sense of struggle. Curator: Considering Expressionism's focus on inner turmoil and social anxieties, Gramatté's choice of etching, a process involving labor and precise chemical reactions, speaks to the controlled chaos of modern life. Editor: It's amazing how such a small piece—just a few inches—can convey such monumental anguish. It really sticks with you. Curator: Indeed, the scale belies its profound impact, reflecting Gramatté's skillful manipulation of medium to amplify the psychological weight. Editor: Looking closely, I now notice the almost ghostly pallor of the figure, like an apparition. Definitely haunting.