Who painted Old and Young Woman (Alte und jungere Frau)?

Old and Young Woman (Alte und jungere Frau) was painted by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in 1921.

Where can I see Old and Young Woman (Alte und jungere Frau)?

Old and Young Woman (Alte und jungere Frau) is held by National Gallery of Art.

Can I buy a print of Old and Young Woman (Alte und jungere Frau)?

Museum-quality prints of Old and Young Woman (Alte und jungere Frau) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Old and Young Woman (Alte und jungere Frau)

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner , 1921

Old and Young Woman (Alte und jungere Frau) is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1921 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s 1921 woodcut titled *Old and Young Woman* presents a domestic interior where two female figures share a table. The older figure sits on the left, hands placed on the surface, while the younger one occupies the right side, gazing downward. A window and door frame the scene, establishing a simple yet enclosed space that focuses attention on the pair’s interaction.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes age and youth, inviting contemplation of generational links or emotional distance. The older woman’s upright posture contrasts with the younger figure’s bowed head, suggesting differing states of mind or relational dynamics. Kirchner’s emphasis on the tension between the two silhouettes underscores a psychological undercurrent, a hallmark of his expressive concerns.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the work relies on bold, decisive lines and stark geometric forms. Kirchner’s carving creates high contrast between black and white, heightening the visual tension. The simplified shapes and exaggerated contours reflect his expressionist vocabulary, where form is subordinated to emotional impact rather than realistic representation.

History & Provenance

Created in the aftermath of Kirchner’s traumatic discharge from World War I service, the print belongs to his later period, preceding the Nazi regime’s denunciation of his oeuvre as “degenerate.” It was produced during a phase when the artist turned increasingly to printmaking, exploring themes of personal and societal strain.

Context

Kirchner co‑founded the avant‑garde group Die Brücke, which helped define early 20th‑century German Expressionism. By 1921 the movement’s initial vigor had waned, yet its influence persisted in his work through the use of vivid line work and emotive distortion, aligning the piece with broader expressionist explorations of inner experience.