The Elfin King 1 [Elfin King pursues father and son on horseback} 1924

Curator: Here we have Ernst Barlach’s lithograph, "The Elfin King," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the sheer dynamism of the piece. The stark contrasts and agitated lines create a powerful sense of movement and urgency. Curator: Indeed. The image stems from Goethe’s poem, where the Elfin King is a symbol of death or illness, luring a child away from his father. The child's wide eyes speak volumes. Editor: The Elfin King here is a figure of relentless pursuit. Notice how the diagonal lines not only suggest rapid motion but also create a feeling of instability, mirroring the father's desperation. Curator: The dark, brooding atmosphere is thick with symbolic tension. The Elfin King is a potent figure in folklore, often representing untamed nature. Editor: It's fascinating how Barlach uses lithography to convey such complex emotions and narratives. The restricted palette enhances the starkness of the scene. Curator: The piece certainly leaves us pondering the universality of such primal fears. Editor: Absolutely, a chilling portrayal, structurally sound and rich in cultural resonance.