Two Bathers on the Fehmarn Coast (Zwei Badende am hoher Fehmarnküste)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

1912

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Early Modern Nude

About this work

This sketch shows two people standing in the water, drawn with quick, jagged lines. The figures look simple but full of movement, with arms raised and legs apart. The waves around them are just rough strokes—no smooth shapes here. The artist used heavy black ink to build up the lines, layering them to make some areas darker. It’s like the paper is almost scratched through in spots. Next, check out Kirchner, Ernst Ludwig to see more of his bold, sketchy style.