Portrait of Erna with Supported Arm
ca. 1917
In this rapid, energetic sketch, German Expressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner captures his muse and lifelong partner, Erna Schilling, in a moment of quiet contemplation. The heavy, jagged brushstrokes—almost like scribbles—give the portrait a raw, nervous energy typical of his style, showing a woman resting her chin on her hand with a look that feels both tired and deep in thought. Created around 1917 during his recovery in the Swiss Alps, these drawings were a lifeline for Kirchner, helping him process his mental health struggles while documenting the woman who cared for him.
- Technique
- Brush and ink
- Material
- Paper
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