Art Essay
Esther Erlich, Kathe Kollwitz and Ivan Kramskoy’s works are all unique in their own styles and different period of time, however each artists do share similarities within their works and this is shown within the themes of their works- ‘Set’ (Esther Erlich, 2010, Acrylic on canvas), ‘Call of Death’ (Kathe Kollwitz, 1934, Charcoal on laid paper), ‘Christ in the Wilderness’ (Ivan Kramskoy, 1872, oil on canvas).
Esther Erlich’s style is quite raw, energetic and spontaneous, however her pieces illustrates skill of an eccentric artist. Her combinations of very striking and melancholy portrait features along with the light, graceful and abstract volatility of her style that makes her work unique and moving. It could be shown from the subdued haze likeness of a moving/disappearing figure, a slight twist or bend of a limb or the provoking expressions of the subject’s faces. Even though her work is quite abstract, you can definitely recognize who she is painting. Esther Erlich brings us full force into our own reality, like a caricature, however she softens it with bubbliness.
Esther Erlich’s style is portrayed quite well in her painting of ‘Set’ (2010). You can see here that her rawness bounces right out of the piece, along with the abstractness of the figure and use of colours, without disfiguring the image of her subject, being a life-saver.
Kathe Kollwitz’s style is a mixture between naturalism and expressional distortion, however her works always are starkly realistic however it illustrates a sympathetic compassion for the victims of war, hunger and poverty, all who suffered during that period of time, including herself. She explored themes such as suffering and death that was figurative and had a high standard of social satisfaction.
Her work, ‘Call of Death’ (1934 Charcoal on laid paper), is a great example of how confronting her pieces are. This work shows Death’s hand reaching out to the subject in the picture (most likely being Kathe...