Philosopher (from the series On Death II) 1898 - 1910

Max Klinger made this etching, Philosopher (from the series On Death II), at an unknown date, and the image is layered with dark, muted tones, built up through an intricate process of etching. It looks to me like Klinger wants to show us thinking as a kind of grappling, a reaching out. The texture is incredible - you can almost feel the density of the shadows and the starkness of the light. Check out the surface of the rock the figure on the right is stood behind: the way it looks as though it's crumbling hints at the fragility of existence. I like how the philosopher, as he stretches his hand out to the ghostly figure on the left, is also tethered to the earth. The philosopher reminds me of Rodin's Thinker, but there's something far more unsettling about Klinger's image. It seems to ask, what is the point of thinking if it only leads to the contemplation of our own mortality? But, like all great art, it leaves the question hanging in the air.