Kafka 1983

This etching of Kafka by Jan Bauch was made in 1953. Look at the scratchy lines, like nervous energy made visible! You can see the work that went into this process. It’s all about textures, isn’t it? The face is built up with all these tiny, anxious lines. And it’s not just about the face, is it? The background is like a storm of marks. This isn't just a portrait, it's a whole mood. See how the lines around the eyes are darker, deeper? It makes you feel like you're looking into something profound, or maybe just something really, really tired. Bauch reminds me of artists like Munch, who also weren't afraid to show their emotions through raw, expressive marks. It's like they're inviting you to feel something, not just see something. Art is an ongoing conversation, and everyone's invited to join in.