Self Portrait with Girl Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938)

The composition presents two figures positioned closely together against a warm, muted orange background. The artist has rendered them in a style characterized by angularity and expressive brushwork, eschewing naturalistic representation for a more subjective portrayal of emotion.
On the left stands an adult figure, facing forward with a direct gaze. Their features are sharply defined; the nose is prominent, the mouth a thin line conveying a sense of restraint or melancholy. The hair is depicted as short, dark, and roughly textured, adding to the overall impression of intensity. A green-tinged palette dominates this side of the painting, contributing to a feeling of somberness.
To the right stands a younger figure, likely a child, whose head is turned slightly downwards. Their expression appears more passive or contemplative than that of the adult. The artist has used a lighter, greenish-yellow hue for this individual, creating a visual contrast with the darker tones on the left. A splash of red is visible near the lower right corner of the composition, drawing attention to the connection between the two figures and potentially symbolizing an underlying emotional complexity.
The close proximity of the subjects suggests intimacy or perhaps a complex relationship – a bond that might be protective, melancholic, or fraught with unspoken understanding. The lack of environmental context focuses the viewer’s attention entirely on the individuals themselves, amplifying their psychological presence. The deliberate distortion of features and the use of an unconventional color scheme contribute to a sense of unease and introspection, hinting at deeper emotional currents beneath the surface of the depicted scene. The painting seems less concerned with external reality than with conveying an internal state – a shared experience or feeling that transcends simple representation.