Sitzendes Mädchen Mit Hut 1904

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this drawing of a seated girl with a hat with pastel crayons. It feels like he was working fast, trying to capture an impression more than a likeness. The marks are restless and free, almost scribbled, but they create a really powerful form. The color palette is unexpected. Look at those bright blues, greens, and reds outlining the figure and defining the space around her, they vibrate with a kind of manic energy. See how the black crayon has been built up in layers to make the dark mass of her skirt. The texture is so immediate, you can almost feel the grain of the paper, and the way the pigment crumbles. The striped wallpaper in the background is a nice touch, hinting at the interior world of the girl. Kirchner reminds me of someone like Alice Neel, capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of his subjects. Both artists share a willingness to embrace imperfection.