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A Woman Combing Her Hair in Front of a Mirror

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

1909

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Early Modern Nude

Dominant colour

A Woman Combing Her Hair in Front of a Mirror is a 1909 graphite by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
When & what style?: 1909 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a woman sitting in front of a mirror, combing her hair. The lines are loose and quick, almost like a hurried drawing. Her body is turned slightly, and the mirror reflects her back, but the image is simple—just shapes and strokes. The artist used light pencil marks, leaving lots of blank paper visible. It feels more like a quick study than a finished work. Look up Kirchner, Ernst Ludwig for more of his sketches.