Bridge in Frankfurt 1923

Paul Kleinschmidt made this etching, "Bridge in Frankfurt," sometime around 1923. The stark black lines carve out a world of industry and movement. It reminds me of a drawing, immediate, direct, and full of intent. The lines are raw and unforgiving, and create a sense of depth and perspective that draws you into the scene. See how Kleinschmidt varies the thickness and direction of the lines to suggest form and shadow. The bridge itself is a tangle of crisscrossing lines, like a puzzle of engineering, while the sky is evoked with just a few simple strokes. I particularly love the figure on the left, lost in thought, his presence grounding the scene in human experience. I’m thinking of other German Expressionists of the period, like Kirchner or Heckel. These artists were interested in capturing the raw energy of modern life, and Kleinschmidt's etching definitely echoes that spirit. It’s a picture which invites you to bring your own experiences to the fore, and complete the picture in your own mind’s eye.