Standing Woman (Stehende Frau) 1911

Curator: Here we have Emil Nolde's 1911 ink drawing, "Standing Woman." A rather striking example of early Expressionist portraiture, wouldn't you agree? Editor: My first thought? An inkblot blooming on the page! Raw, spontaneous—almost fierce, in its economy. Curator: Exactly! Nolde distills the essence of this figure, a woman adorned with fur, using bold, almost brutal strokes. The stark black ink against the creamy paper creates a compelling visual drama. Editor: The fur trim…it feels less like adornment and more like armour. Each stroke adds an emotional weight, doesn't it? I imagine she is at once alluring and a warning sign. The hat itself, quite imposing, crowns that intensity. Curator: It’s interesting you say "armour," because fur in many cultures, was regarded as a symbol of wealth, yes, but also protection. This relates to a broader symbolism associated with such status during a time when the role of women in society was rapidly evolving. Editor: So the portrait then becomes less about her individuality, but an indicator of changing cultural status, and, maybe also a psychological portrait reflecting an era of great uncertainty? Curator: Indeed! Nolde’s "Standing Woman" captures more than just a likeness; it reflects a moment in time, pregnant with shifting identities and societal anxieties. Nolde always struck me as being more interested in how something felt more than looked. Editor: Looking at this piece, it certainly is alive with conflicting energies, and now I think, perhaps a reflection of Nolde himself as well? An intense, powerful piece that leaves me pondering the secrets held within those ink strokes. Curator: Well said! Nolde certainly leaves us much to contemplate, not only about his subject but about the turbulent era that birthed such expressive art.