Female Nude Seated 1909

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this print of a seated female nude using etching, an intaglio printmaking technique. To create this image, Kirchner would have covered a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant ground. Using a needle, he scratched away the ground to expose the metal underneath. The plate was then immersed in acid, which bit into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink was applied to the plate and then wiped away from the surface, remaining only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate was pressed onto paper, transferring the ink and creating the print. The linear quality and stark contrasts are emphasized through the etching process. Kirchner engaged with printmaking techniques, belonging to histories of creative practices alongside that of fine arts, and further utilized to disseminate images more widely. The simplicity of the lines conveys the artist’s expressionist aesthetic. Considering the materials, making, and context of this artwork helps us understand its full meaning, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.