1911
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Rape II (Raub II, Weib halb) is a 1911 ink by Wilhelm Lehmbruck, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drypoint shows a woman’s half-figure leaning forward, her head bent low. Her body looks heavy, as if pulled down by gravity. The lines are sharp and uneven, leaving deep shadows that make her seem fragile. Lehmbruck often worked in sculpture but tried printmaking here. The rough marks in the metal plate add a raw, urgent feeling. You can almost hear the tool biting into the surface as he worked. It feels quiet but heavy, like a held breath. Look for the way the light sits on her shoulder and neck.
Wilhelm Lehmbruck (4 January 1881 – 25 March 1919) was a German sculptor. One of the most important of his generation, he was influenced by realism and expressionism.
See the richer artist page
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