Selbstbildnis (Self-Portrait) 1920 - 1921

Lovis Corinth created this self-portrait using etching, and the result is a compelling study in contrasts and textures. The composition is immediately striking, dominated by the artist's head, which fills almost the entire plate, creating an intimate yet intense encounter. Corinth masterfully manipulates light and shadow to sculpt his features, using dense, tangled lines to define areas of darkness and leaving other areas relatively untouched to suggest highlights. This technique not only adds depth and volume to the face but also conveys a sense of raw emotion. The lines create a rough texture, emphasizing the artist's physical presence and mortality. Corinth's expressive use of line and tonal variation invites us to consider the psychological state of the artist. The rough lines could be interpreted as signs of inner turmoil, making the portrait a powerful statement on the human condition. In this way, the formal elements of the etching technique serve to amplify the expressive content of the artwork, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of self-representation.