Self-portrait III 1928

Editor: So, here we have Ernst Barlach’s "Self-Portrait III.” It's raw, almost anxious, in its scribbled lines, isn't it? What feelings does this provoke in you? Curator: The feeling is immediate, isn't it? Barlach's marks, those restless lines, they hint at an inner turmoil, or perhaps a fierce self-awareness. I feel as though he is showing, not telling, us who he is. Do you see how the weight of the lines darkens around the eyes, creating a sense of depth? It is as if he's searching, questioning. Editor: I see the depth you're referring to, I think. It's in the shadows he's creating. It’s much more complex than I initially thought. Curator: Exactly. Art invites us to delve into these complexities, doesn't it? I find that liberating.