Open full image Pin

Nude Dancer

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

1906

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Early Modern Nude

Dominant colour

Nude Dancer is a 1906 ink by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner
When & what style?: 1906
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows a simple, bold design of a dancer inside a square frame. The figure has a small head, long arms, and bent legs, with a few wavy lines for hair. Around the edges are repeated circles and swirls, like a border. The whole thing is black on a light background, with some wear showing through. The artist used a printmaking method where they carved into wood, then pressed ink into the grooves. The rough lines and stark contrast make it look almost like a sketch. Next, look up woodcut to see how this technique works.