A powerful 1907 lithographic portrait of the writer Gerhart Hauptmann by the German artist Lovis Corinth, noted for its expressive line work and psychological depth.

This lithograph depicts the German dramatist and novelist Gerhart Hauptmann, a figure of significant standing in early twentieth-century literature. Lovis Corinth, a painter and printmaker who bridged the gap between late nineteenth-century academicism and the emerging Expressionist movement, captures his subject with a direct, unvarnished approach. The work reflects the artist's interest in the psychological state of his sitters, moving away from formal portraiture toward a more immediate, gestural style.

Corinth employs a vigorous use of lithographic crayon, creating heavy, dark shadows that define the structure of Hauptmann's face. The background is rendered with rapid, sweeping strokes, which contrast with the more focused detail applied to the eyes and brow. This technique draws the viewer's attention to the subject's intense gaze, suggesting a sense of intellectual weight and weariness. The inclusion of the artist's signature and the date, 28 January 1907, within the composition itself, reinforces the documentary nature of the print. It functions as a record of a specific encounter between two prominent figures of the era.

As a print, this work demonstrates Corinth's mastery of the medium. He exploits the texture of the lithographic stone to achieve a range of tones, from the deep, velvety blacks of the hair and coat to the lighter, sketch-like lines of the collar and lapels. The composition is balanced yet retains a sense of spontaneity, characteristic of Corinth's later graphic output. This piece offers an insight into the artist's ability to synthesise observation with a personal, expressive visual language, providing a compelling study of a literary icon.