Kopf einer Bäuerin (Fr. Schmid) (Original Title) 1919

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this etching, "Head of a Peasant Woman (Fr. Schmid)," with ink on paper. Look at that mark-making! It’s like he attacked the plate with the needle, digging and scratching to build up this intense portrait. You can see the process, the struggle to capture her essence. The black ink gives the print a stark, almost brutal feel. There’s so much texture here, from the rough lines that define her face to the shading that creates depth. Notice the lines across her cheek, and the way her mouth is slightly open – a small detail but so full of life. It's raw and emotional. Kirchner's style reminds me a bit of Käthe Kollwitz, another German artist who wasn't afraid to show the grit and hardship of everyday life. But Kirchner brings his own intensity, his own way of seeing the world. Art isn't about perfection; it’s about capturing a moment, a feeling, a truth.