Two Nudes at the Sea—Fehmarn 1912

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this watercolour sketch, Two Nudes at the Sea—Fehmarn, with ink and watercolour on paper; it looks like a study, a trying-out of the space, the figures, a kind of quick, playful arrangement. See how the dark lines of the bodies are drawn so freely, like he’s dancing with the figures. The paint is thin in places, almost like a wash, but thick in others, giving it a lovely, uneven texture. The colour palette is simple and earthy, with greens, blues, and browns dominating. Notice the green strokes in the background; they remind me of blades of grass. It’s all so fluid and responsive, like a visual diary entry. Kirchner was part of the ‘Die Brücke’ group and, like other Expressionists, he was interested in raw emotion and experience. This drawing reminds me a little of Matisse, but with a touch more angst. Art is just this ongoing conversation, isn’t it? A beautiful mess of ideas and feelings.