Maler M. (Original Title) 1930

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this woodcut, Maler M., at some point during his career, and it's now here at the Städel Museum. It's all about bold moves, and how to carve a person out of a block of wood, literally. I love the way Kirchner’s graphic style here gives the impression of a really angular, almost confrontational character, through simplification. It feels immediate, like it just happened, but you know it’s taken skill and planning. The textures are so distinct: those assertive black lines, and the way the wood grain peeks through, adding another layer of tactility. I keep looking at how the woodcut lines define the planes of the face, it almost looks like cubism but in a very flattened format. It makes me think of other artists who've pushed the boundaries of portraiture. I mean, think about Picasso and his total distortions of form. Ultimately, art is a playground, and the best pieces invite us to come and play too.