Alfred Döblin 1912

Editor: Here we have Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's portrait of Alfred Döblin. What strikes me are the visible brushstrokes and how the paint seems almost hastily applied. What can you tell us about the making of this piece? Curator: Considering Kirchner's involvement with Die Brücke, a group that valued direct expression, the application of paint highlights the artist's process and the raw physicality of creation. How do you see this materiality reflecting the anxieties of pre-war Germany, and the means of production? Editor: So the frenzied strokes are not just aesthetic, but potentially a reflection of the turbulent times? Curator: Precisely. It pushes us to consider the social context of its production, and the artist's labor in relation to the societal landscape of that era. We can imagine the artist struggling to find his place amidst industrialization and shifting social structures. Editor: That gives me a new perspective. Curator: It's vital to see the artwork as a product of its time.