Etching from the series "The Face" 1924

Walter Gramatté created this etching, part of "The Face" series, around 1922. The square composition, dominated by muted greens and greys, presents a portrait that hovers between the representational and the abstract. The face is built up from a series of lines and textured surfaces, giving it a fragmented, almost dissolving quality. Notice how the lines around the eyes and mouth seem to simultaneously define and obscure the features, reflecting a deep psychological exploration, characteristic of the Expressionist movement. The etching technique itself, with its inherent textures and tonal variations, contributes to the sense of unease. The background is equally intriguing, featuring a series of ambiguous forms that could be interpreted as architectural elements, or perhaps even further distortions of the face itself. This blurring of the figure-ground relationship challenges our perception and emphasizes the subjective nature of identity. Gramatté's work invites us to consider how our understanding of the self is always under construction, never fully resolved.