Self-Portrait after an Illness - Lovis Corinth

A raw and emotive 1911 etching by Lovis Corinth, capturing the artist during his recovery from a stroke.

This etching, titled Self-Portrait after an Illness, dates to 1911. It belongs to a series of seven etchings produced by Lovis Corinth during a period of significant physical recovery. The artist suffered a stroke in December 1911, an event that altered his artistic output and personal outlook. This work captures the artist in a state of convalescence, seated at a table with a pen or stylus in hand.

The composition relies on rapid, calligraphic line work. Corinth uses the etching needle to create a sense of immediacy, with hatching and cross-hatching defining the shadows across his face and the folds of his clothing. The gaze is direct, confronting the viewer with a raw, unvarnished depiction of the artist. The background remains largely empty, which forces the focus onto the figure and his physical condition.

Corinth was a central figure in the Berlin Secession, and his work often bridged the gap between late nineteenth-century Impressionism and the emerging Expressionist movement. His late graphic work, in particular, demonstrates a move away from academic precision toward a more subjective, emotive style. This self-portrait is a study of human vulnerability. It documents the physical toll of illness while maintaining the artist's commitment to his craft. The print reflects the technical mastery Corinth possessed, using the limitations of the etching medium to convey psychological weight. By stripping away unnecessary detail, he presents a stark, honest image of himself at a moment of personal transition.