Gewecke und Erna 1913

Here we see a drawing, made by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, with a pencil on paper. In this piece, the angular depiction of the figures, Gewecke and Erna, is striking; their faces, elongated and sharp, evoke a sense of unease and psychological tension. The motif of elongated faces, reminiscent of masks, can be traced back to ancient theatrical traditions, used to amplify emotions. Think of the tragic masks of Greek theatre, serving to intensify the play's emotional impact. It reappears throughout history, evolving through Expressionism, where artists used distortion to convey inner emotional states, rather than literal representation. This distortion creates a powerful psychological impact, tapping into our collective fears and anxieties. Kirchner uses this distortion to reveal the underlying anxiety of modern existence. The drawing is not just a portrait, but a mirror reflecting the inner turmoil of the subjects, and perhaps, of the artist himself. A visual echo rippling through time.