Herrscher, from the series Vom Tode Zweiter Teil 1903 - 1904

Max Klinger made this etching, Herrscher, from the series Vom Tode Zweiter Teil, at some point in his career. The controlled use of line, the almost obsessive detail, gives it this slightly unreal, dreamlike quality. It reminds me that artmaking is about a lot more than just the final image; it's about the journey of getting there. The intricate hatching and cross-hatching create a range of tonal values, from the deep shadows of the figures’ robes to the hazy background. Look at the smoke rising from the offering; you can almost feel the texture of the paper and the pressure of the etching tool that formed it. This attention to detail is what draws me in, that sense of Klinger’s hand at work, meticulously building this scene layer by layer. Klinger’s work reminds me of artists like Goya, who also explored the darker sides of human experience. Ultimately, this print is a conversation, a dialogue between the artist, the medium, and the viewer, where meaning is not fixed but constantly evolving.