Street Underpass 1913

Erich Heckel made this print, "Street Underpass", in 1913, using etching. The scratchy marks and stark contrast here are so good. It looks like the artist really dug into the plate. See how the architecture looms above the street? Those buildings are really present, pushing down on the scene below, creating this feeling of tension and claustrophobia. I think what’s interesting about printmaking is that it's not just about the final image, but also about the process of creation. You can almost feel Heckel’s hand moving across the plate, making these tiny marks that come together to form a really dynamic composition. The whole scene feels like it’s vibrating with energy. Looking at this, I am reminded of how much printmakers owe to artists like Käthe Kollwitz, especially the way she used the medium to amplify the emotional intensity of her subjects. It’s all part of this ongoing conversation between artists, each building on what came before, and pushing the boundaries of what art can be.