Medium 1923

Curator: This pencil sketch, simply titled "Medium," was created in 1923 by Erich Wichmann. The drawing epitomizes the expressive style of German Expressionism, capturing an almost ethereal visage. Editor: Ethereal, yes, but also... unsettling. The stark contrast and rough application of graphite create this haunted quality, almost as if the paper is trying to conjure a spirit itself. Curator: Wichmann was working in the wake of World War I. How might that context have influenced his subject matter and artistic choices here, with Expressionism reflecting the period's heightened anxieties and fractured realities? Editor: You see that reflected in the way the artist builds form with these almost frantic, searching marks. Graphite is such a humble, readily available material. The choice speaks to an urgency of expression, a need to document an internal landscape with whatever's at hand. The sketch emphasizes the artist's hand, his presence. Curator: Precisely. Wichmann's work after the war showcases the raw emotionality inherent in Expressionism, reflecting a desire to delve into the human psyche amidst societal upheaval and instability. Note the title "Medium," a nod, perhaps, to spiritualism so popular at the time and maybe a cry for help. Editor: Also, consider that the lack of precise details allows the viewer to project onto the subject. I think this evokes empathy and invites speculation regarding the "medium's" personal and societal role. I imagine the choice to render this subject via such a raw medium reflects his socio-economic constraints as an artist. Curator: True. He worked in a period when art became intertwined with revolutionary politics, often seeking ways to voice societal concerns, challenge norms, and offer new visual interpretations. This sketch certainly leans toward challenging traditional representational norms. Editor: And that, I think, stems from both available resources, and the need to speak in ways previously considered unconventional. This makes Wichmann's rough material choice revolutionary in and of itself. It democratizes production of art in itself. Curator: I agree completely. I see "Medium" as more than just a portrait. It represents Wichmann's attempt to use art as a bridge to deeper understanding during uncertain times. Editor: Absolutely. And that simple act of creating with whatever you have to hand becomes a defiant act of expression.