Portrait of Thomas Corinth 1922

Curator: This is Lovis Corinth's "Portrait of Thomas Corinth," a drawing residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. It dates to 1922. Editor: It's intense, almost confrontational. The stark charcoal lines give Thomas a very serious, unwavering presence. Curator: Indeed, the rapid, almost frenetic charcoal strokes create a sense of immediacy. Notice how Corinth uses hatching and cross-hatching to define form and volume. The structural elements emphasize a raw, almost unsettling depiction. Editor: I love that the artist captures a moment of vulnerability within this controlled framework. The eyes feel like they're peering into your soul, don't you think? Curator: One can certainly read emotional depth into the subject's gaze, but it's crucial to consider the formal elements. Editor: Right, right... regardless, there's something deeply personal and a little unnerving about this portrait. Curator: A fine end note. The way Corinth uses light and shadow gives the image an enduring structural dynamism. Editor: It’s definitely a piece that stays with you!