Artwork
The Wife of Professor Goldstein
The Wife of Professor Goldstein is an ink print by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Wife of Professor Goldstein is a 1916 woodcut by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, a key figure in the development of Expressionism. Created in black on blotting paper, it exemplifies the artist's work in printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a seated woman, her face partially turned away. The title identifies her as the wife of Professor Goldstein, but further context is unknown. The image conveys a sense of quiet intensity through its use of bold lines and deep shadows.
Technique & Style
Kirchner employed the woodcut technique, carving into wood to produce a print with characteristic bold lines and textured surfaces. The resulting image is marked by sharp, jagged lines that give the subject's clothing and hair a rough appearance.
Context
As a founding member of Die Brücke, Kirchner was part of a group that sought to break away from traditional representational art. The Wife of Professor Goldstein reflects the Expressionist movement's emphasis on distortion and emotional intensity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (6 May 1880 – 15 June 1938) was a German expressionist painter and printmaker.
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