Sailboats at Fehmarn 1914

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner sketched “Sailboats at Fehmarn” using charcoal, capturing a fleeting moment. The strokes are immediate, almost frantic, mirroring the unpredictable nature of sailing. Look closely, and you'll see how Kirchner doesn’t fuss over detail. Instead, he captures the essence of the scene – the tilt of the sails, the huddled figures in the boat, all conveyed with an economy of line. Notice how the charcoal is sometimes dense, creating dark, solid forms, and other times it’s light and sketchy, suggesting movement and air. This contrast gives the piece a dynamic quality. Think of Kirchner as a visual poet, using charcoal to write a poem about the sea. Artists like Kirchner and the expressionists were in conversation with artists like Munch, who embraced ambiguity. It’s not about what you see, but how you feel.