Self-Portrait in a Fur Coat 1913

Lovis Corinth made this self-portrait in a fur coat using drypoint. I imagine the artist pulling the drypoint needle across the copper, building up the image line by line. This method is all about the act of mark-making, isn't it? The result here is intimate. The lines that define the coat, the face—they're all so raw and immediate. The artist's gaze meets ours, and the expression seems knowing, maybe even a little weary. It's like he’s saying, "This is me, take it or leave it." There's a directness, a sense of vulnerability that feels incredibly contemporary. It reminds me of other artists who laid themselves bare, like Rembrandt. They share this honesty, this willingness to show the human condition, warts and all. It's the kind of work that makes you feel connected across time.