Twee smalle gezichten met lege oogholtes 1900 - 1925

Erich Wichmann made this print, Twee smalle gezichten met lege oogholtes, which translates to Two Narrow Faces with Empty Eye Sockets, using lithography, giving it that ghostly, soft-focus quality. Look at the way the charcoal-like marks build up the forms, tentative and searching, like the artist is feeling his way through the darkness. The texture is incredible, isn't it? The paper almost glows through the darker tones, especially around those hollow eyes. It's like he's scraping away at the surface to reveal something hidden underneath. The layering of marks is almost obsessive, creating a real sense of depth and unease. Notice how the smaller face is built out of swirling lines. There's a real energy to it, like it's about to dissolve back into the void. Wichmann's work reminds me a bit of Edvard Munch, that same raw, emotional intensity. Both artists were grappling with some pretty dark stuff, and you can feel it in every line. Ultimately, it's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be pretty. Sometimes, it's about confronting the things that scare us.