Karl Schmidt-Rottluff 108 Karl Schmidt-Rottluff

The woodcut presents a close-up portrait rendered in stark black and white. The subjects face is dominated by angular planes and sharp lines, creating a fragmented and somewhat unsettling appearance. A pronounced brow ridge casts deep shadows over the eyes, which are depicted as narrow slits conveying an intense, inward gaze. The mouth is compressed into a thin line, suggesting restraint or perhaps melancholy.
The artist employed parallel hatching extensively to define form and create texture. These lines, predominantly oriented vertically, contribute to a sense of rigidity and confinement. Around the head, radiating lines emanate outwards, offering a visual contrast to the tightly controlled structure of the face itself. They might suggest an internal energy struggling against external constraints or perhaps symbolize a spiritual aura.
The subject’s hand is visible in the lower portion of the composition, clutching what appears to be a small, rectangular object – possibly a book or a piece of writing material. This detail introduces a layer of intellectual or creative activity into the portrait. The hand itself is simplified and angular, echoing the geometric style employed throughout the work.
The overall effect is one of psychological intensity and introspection. The absence of background context focuses attention entirely on the subject’s emotional state. The deliberate distortion of facial features moves beyond a simple likeness; it conveys an impression of inner turmoil or profound contemplation. The limited palette reinforces this sense of austerity and seriousness, contributing to a feeling of solemnity and perhaps even isolation.