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Girl, with Another Rubbing Her Belly

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

1910

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Early Modern Nude

Dominant colour

Girl, with Another Rubbing Her Belly is a 1910 ink by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
When & what style?: 1910
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows two women in a simple, rough style. One is lying down, her body turned slightly toward the other woman, who stands beside her. The lines are scratchy and uneven, almost like quick notes. The standing woman’s dress is drawn with fast, wavy strokes, while the reclining woman’s skin is smooth but flat. The drawing feels unfinished, like a sketch meant to explore shapes and movement. The artist used a drypoint technique—scratching into a metal plate to make marks—so the lines look hand-drawn and urgent. Look up Kirchner, Ernst Ludwig next to see more of his bold, expressive work.