Who painted Woman Lying on a Sofa?

Woman Lying on a Sofa was painted by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1926.

Where can I see Woman Lying on a Sofa?

Woman Lying on a Sofa is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Woman Lying on a Sofa?

Museum-quality prints of Woman Lying on a Sofa are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Woman Lying on a Sofa

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner , 1926

Woman Lying on a Sofa is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1926 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in graphite: Eigendruck; lower center in graphite: Liegende Frau 27; lower right in graphite: EL Kirchner; bottom left corner by later hand in graphite: I; bottom center verso in blue pencil: Liegende Frau 2; bottom left verso by later hand in graphite: 63; K 5379; 5002; I Sch 552 II; SRC 17; bottom left verso by later hand in blue pencil: 299; lower right by later hand in graphite: 68130528; SVP; 57808 [crossed out]

About this work

Overview

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner produced the woodcut Woman Lying on a Sofa in 1926. Executed entirely in black ink, the print presents a solitary nude figure reclined on a sofa, her profile turned away from the viewer. The composition is dominated by stark contrasts between the dark background and the lighter tones that suggest the woman's skin, creating a focused, intimate scene.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays a woman in a relaxed pose, her legs extended and arms resting on the sofa, conveying a sense of quiet repose. The profile view and the absence of surrounding narrative elements emphasize the figure’s bodily presence, inviting contemplation of the private, unguarded moment rather than a specific story or allegory.

Technique & Style

Kirchner employed the woodcut process, carving the image into a wooden block and printing it in a single black layer. The design relies on bold, decisive lines and simplified geometric shapes to suggest volume and depth, characteristic of his later expressionist approach, where form is reduced to essential contours and tonal contrast.

History & Provenance

Created after Kirchner’s return from military service and his subsequent mental breakdown, the print belongs to the artist’s later period, when he turned increasingly to printmaking. As a member of the founding group Die Brücke, Kirchner’s output during this time reflects a shift toward more introspective subjects, and the piece remains documented within his post‑war oeuvre.