Kneeling, Small (Kniende, klein) 1910

This is Wilhelm Lehmbruck's etching, Kneeling, Small, and what I find so arresting is the way it conveys a sense of vulnerability and introspection through line. The figure is rendered with delicate yet decisive strokes, each seemingly weighed by thoughtful consideration, almost as if the artist had to coax the figure into existence. I can imagine him, wrestling with the plate, trying to bring forth the most essential elements of form and emotion. Look at the arch of her back and the gentle curve of her neck. It's as if each line is a whispered secret. Lehmbruck's sensitivity reminds me of other artists like Rodin, who also captured the human form in moments of quiet contemplation, all of them speaking to each other across time. And it speaks to us, asking us to pause and reflect. It’s a testament to the enduring power of art to evoke empathy and understanding, isn’t it?