Figurkomposition 1916

This is a print called Figurkomposition by J.A. Jerichau II, made sometime between 1890 and 1916. It has this scratchy, wiry energy. It’s the kind of piece where you can really see the artist working through their ideas, feeling their way through the process. The texture of the print is really something. You can see how the lines are etched into the plate, and the ink sits on the surface of the paper. Look at the figure on the right, their head looks like it has been scribbled over and over. You can almost feel the artist's hand moving, trying to capture the form. The way the lines vary in thickness and darkness creates a sense of depth and shadow, even though it's all in black and white. There's something about the raw, unfinished quality of this print that reminds me of Paula Modersohn-Becker's early etchings. Both artists seem interested in capturing a sense of immediacy and directness in their work, embracing ambiguity.