Woman Bathing by the Oven 1919

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this woodcut, Woman Bathing by the Oven, sometime in his career, though the date isn’t known. The process of woodcut printing is physically demanding, and you can see the push-pull of the hand in the marks Kirchner made. The stark contrast between the red and black creates a tension that is hard to look away from. It's like the woman is caught between two worlds, the warmth of the oven and the coldness of the world outside. I love the way Kirchner uses the texture of the wood to create a sense of depth and movement. In this particular print, the cat is almost an afterthought but the position of the woman and cat create a curious balance. The woman seems to be leaning forward, while the cat sits firm. Kirchner was a key figure in German Expressionism, and you can see that influence in the raw, emotional energy of this piece. There is a strong link between his work and that of Munch, who he almost certainly was influenced by.