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Head Study (Kopfstudie)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

1924

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Early Modern

Dominant colour

Head Study (Kopfstudie) is a 1924 ink by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
When & what style?: 1924
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows a face split down the middle, with one side smooth and the other side rough and textured. The left half looks like a mask or carved stone, while the right half is softer, almost like skin. The eyes are large and dark, and the mouth is wide open, as if shouting or laughing. The contrast between the two sides makes you notice how different materials can change how we see a face. This piece uses a printing method where ink is rubbed onto a smooth stone instead of painted on canvas. Next, check out lithography to see how this technique works.