Melancholischer Kopf 1927 - 1928

This is Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s "Melancholischer Kopf," and you know, just looking at the stark contrasts, you can feel the weight of that melancholy. The image feels carved out of a dark space, with these sharp, almost violent lines defining the face. I imagine Kirchner wrestling with the block, each cut a decision, a feeling etched into the wood. What was he thinking? Was he trying to capture something fleeting, or was he digging into a deeper, more persistent emotion? The texture is so palpable, you can almost feel the resistance of the wood under the blade. It's not just a portrait; it's a raw, visceral expression. The way the lines converge and diverge, creating this sense of unease. It reminds me of other expressionist artists grappling with similar themes of alienation and inner turmoil. We're all talking to each other, across time, trying to figure things out, one image at a time.