Mother and Child IV 1915

Curator: Wilhelm Lehmbruck's “Mother and Child IV” presents us with an intimate portrayal rendered through the etching process. Editor: The somber mood is immediate. The piece’s stark composition invites a reading that explores themes of protection, vulnerability, and the profound ties between a mother and child. Curator: Considering Lehmbruck’s own experiences during the first World War, we can examine his exploration of suffering and tenderness through the physical act of creating the etching. Editor: This resonates with broader socio-political narratives of the era. How does this image speak to the anxieties surrounding motherhood, the fragility of life, and the roles imposed upon women during a period of intense upheaval? Curator: Thinking about the materials—the metal plate, the acid, the paper—we see a confluence of labor, skill, and the artist’s hand in producing this image. Editor: Ultimately, this piece serves as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between personal experience and broader social forces. Curator: Indeed, contemplating the physical making of this image offers insight into Lehmbruck's emotional and societal landscape.