Head of Dr. Robert Binswanger (the Student) 1917 - 1918

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this woodcut, Head of Dr. Robert Binswanger, with stark, graphic marks. Imagine Kirchner attacking the block, carving out these shapes with such energy and conviction. I can just feel the artist's hand moving, cutting into the wood, making decisive marks. What was he thinking about as he made those cuts? Was he trying to capture something essential about Binswanger's character? The way the lines converge around the eyes, it gives the impression of someone intense, thoughtful. The sharp angles and the contrast between black and white make it feel immediate, urgent. The physicality of the medium really shines through. I think about other artists who used woodcuts, like Munch. They're all in conversation, pushing the boundaries. It reminds me that art is never created in a vacuum. We're all standing on the shoulders of giants, riffing off each other, and adding our own little twist. And it’s all about the process!