Rape II (Raub II, Weib halb)

About this work

This 1911 drypoint shows a nude woman curled on the ground, her arms hugging her knees. The lines are rough and scratchy, like she’s made of jagged shadows. The paper looks old and slightly yellowed at the edges. What stands out is the way the artist carved the image directly into metal, then pressed it onto paper. That’s called drypoint—a technique where a needle drags across a plate, leaving fuzzy edges. It gives the whole scene a raw, emotional feel. It’s a tough image to look at. Check out the National Gallery of Art, Washington for more.