Untitled

Untitled

Ernst Barlach

1932

ink

From the collection of Museum of Modern Art

About this work

This sketch shows two hunched figures in a dim, swirling space. One leans forward with arms outstretched, gripping what looks like a post or beam. The other stands behind, holding a lantern that barely lights the scene. Their clothes are rough, and the ground looks uneven, like they’re in a storm or underground. The artist used quick, scratchy lines to make the scene feel tense and unstable. The figures’ postures suggest struggle or exhaustion, but their faces stay hidden. If this style intrigues you, try looking up lithography to see how artists create prints like this.

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